Review: Joey Arias’ Joe’s Pub Residency Final Show

Posted by The G on February 11, 2013 under G Reviews | 2 Comments to Read

Photos by G.

As a person who experiences seeing hundreds of live shows a year, I can honestly say that one of the best performers I’ve ever seen is Joey Arias.  Joey Arias wrapped up a 3 week residency at Joe’s Pub in New York on February 10, 2013 and not even the after effects of a blizzard could keep the sold out crowd away.  It’s hard to describe Joey Arias other than to say he is otherworldly.  For those that have never had the pleasure to see Joey Arias live (and you need to remedy that immediately!), here’s a brief description: he performs in drag – and last night wore a fabulous pair of Christian Louboutin high heels, channels Billie Holiday with his amazing voice, keeps the audience laughing their asses off with in between song banter and always keeps it fresh by performing new material.

Joey brought out special guest (and fellow New York legend) Phoebe Legere for a show-stopping cover of The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love,” which was the perfect cap to the nearly 2 hour show.  Joey’s set also included covers of Harry Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talking,” Billie Holiday’s “You’ve Changed,” Cream’s “White Room,” and some original songs such as “Sex Is Beautiful.”  He flirted mercilessly with the crowd and I left the show with my face hurting from smiling for the duration of the show.

If you live on the West Coast, you have a few chances to see Joey Arias this week and next week, and I cannot emphasize enough that you should not miss seeing Joey Arias under any circumstances!

Joey Arias plays the Castro Theatre in San Francisco on February 14, 2013 and does a mini-tour ending in Salt Lake City on February 28, 2013.  GO!!!