Ben Platt on Love, Queer Life and the Magic of Theatre | Queer the Music with Jake Shears

Ben Platt on Love, Queer Life and the Magic of Theatre | Queer the Music with Jake Shears

Author: Mercury Studios September 16, 2026 Duration: 42:21
Season 4 of Queer The Music continues with Tony, Grammy and Emmy-winning actor and musician Ben Platt. In conversation with Jake Shears, Platt discusses the freedom of playing a queer character on stage in Midnight at the Never Get, his lifelong relationship with musical theatre and why performing live remains the place he feels most at home. He also reflects on bringing his sexuality openly into his songwriting, his marriage to fellow performer Noah Galvin and the importance of queer audiences seeing their own relationships represented in music. Elsewhere, Platt opens up about the uncertain future of theatre and independent filmmaking, the extraordinary long-term process behind Richard Linklater’s Merrily We Roll Along, and the lasting impact of his late friend and mentor Gavin Creel.

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In Queer The Music: Jake Shears On The Songs That Changed Lives, the Scissor Sisters frontman hosts a series of intimate and revelatory conversations that go far beyond a simple playlist. This Mercury Studios podcast is built on a powerful premise: that certain songs aren't just hits, but lifelines and cultural turning points. Jake Shears sits down with fellow artists, writers, and cultural figures to explore the specific tracks that provided a soundtrack for survival, defiance, and joy within the queer community. Each episode digs into the personal and historical context behind these anthems, uncovering the often-hidden stories of the queer artists who created them, frequently at great personal and professional risk. Listeners will hear passionate breakdowns of musical craftsmanship alongside deeply personal testimonies about how these songs provided courage in closeted times, forged connections in underground clubs, and ultimately helped shape identities. The discussions are as much about social history as they are about melody, offering a rich, song-by-song excavation of how music can build a world where you finally feel seen. It’s a celebration of resilience and the enduring power of a perfect beat, hosted by someone who has lived that journey both on the dancefloor and the stage.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Podcast Episodes
Queer the Music returns for season 4! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58
Jake Shears’ hit Queer The Music podcast returns for its fourth season. Kicking off with an episode featuring Placebo’s Brian Molko, this follows a double win for the number 1-charting podcast at the prestigious Webby Aw…
The Greatest Bits From The Past 3 Seasons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:32
Christmas has come early as Jake selects some of his favourite bits from the last 3 seasons. Really just a reminder to go back and listen to the episodes you've missed - there have been some brilliant conversations - wis…
The Greatest Bits From The Past 3 Seasons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:29
Christmas has come early as Jake selects some of his favourite bits from the last 3 seasons. Really just a reminder to go back and listen to the episodes you've missed - there have been some brilliant conversations - wis…
A Queer Year In Music with Self Esteem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:30
For this special episode of Queer The Music Jake is joined by the brilliant Rebecca Lucy Taylor aka Self Esteem. With a critically acclaimed new album, a concert tour and book under her belt this year, the pair have plen…
A Queer Year In Music with Self Esteem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:29
For this special episode of Queer The Music Jake is joined by the brilliant Rebecca Lucy Taylor aka Self Esteem. With a critically acclaimed new album, a concert tour and book under her belt this year, the pair have plen…
'Epic' by Faith No More - with Roddy Bottum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:29
It's our season finale and we're delighted to be joined by Roddy Bottum, best known as the keyboardist of Faith No More. Back in 1990 Roddy found himself in the spotlight in the rock world as its first openly gay star. I…
"Epic" by Faith No More with Roddy Bottum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:39
It's our season finale and we're delighted to be joined by Roddy Bottum, best known as the keyboardist of Faith No More. Back in 1990 Roddy found himself in the spotlight in the rock world as its first openly gay star. I…
'Grace Kelly' by Mika [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:00
This week on Queer The Music we celebrate Grace Kelly - the debut single from Multi-platinum, BRIT Award-winning, and Grammy nominated global pop visionary Mika. Listen to Jake and Mika's fascinating conversation about M…