Justin Bond is a Tony-nominated performer, New York icon and one of the world’s great queer performers. Justin makes a triumphant return to Queer Up North with the must-see UK premiere of his critically acclaimed new show.

Justin Bond is Close To You sees Justin perform a complete song cycle, in original order, of the classic early Carpenters album Close To You.  The show includes hit singles We’ve Only Just Begun and Close To You, performing alongside Emmy-Award-winning pianist, Lance Horne.
 
First hearing the album as a seven year old, Justin was profoundly affected by Karen Carpenter’s voice, describing it as “both reassuring and profoundly sad”.  His deep connection with the material is evident in this sincere, respectful and highly personal homage that has stunned audiences in New York, San Francisco and the Sydney Opera House

An Obie and Bessie award winner, Justin Bond was recently named by Time Out as one of ‘New York’s Icons’. He starred in John Cameron Mitchell’s film Shortbus and as the Kiki half of the legendary performance duo Kiki & Herb, Justin headlined at Carnegie Hall, performed on and off Broadway and supported the Scissor Sisters on tour.

The festival reaches a glamorous climax with a very extended six-day Bank Holiday weekend inside the magnificent surrounds of La Gayola – Queer Up North’s Spiegeltent.  Step inside our beautiful 1940’s wooden tent to find a world of outrageous cabaret, glorious music and world-class performance.

The Queer Up North Spiegeltent is presented in association with Manchester Pride.