Peace, Love & Pluto Tour: Jake Wesley Rogers live at The Shelter, Detroit

Photos and words by Chelsea Whitaker

Impressions of glam pop artist Jake Wesley Rogers performing live at The Shelter in Detroit, with support from acoustic singer-songwriter Stacey Ryan. 

​​Stacey Ryan opened the night, with a wonderful acoustic set. She got the crowd hyped with her jazzy vocals and poppy hooks. 

Jake Wesley Rogers brought his glam pop to Detroit on March 28. Playing to a nearly sold out room, The Shelter, he opened his set with fan favorite “Middle of Love”. The crowd sang along at the top of their lungs as Jake ran all over the stage, wearing a massive shawl of ruffles. His stage presence was unparalleled, encouraging audience participation at every turn. Between songs he would run backstage, quickly returning in another incredible, sequin covered ensemble.  We were treated to a peek into his debut record, that is yet to be released, by performing a brand new song, “Hot Gospel”. When asked when it would be released, he responded with “I couldn’t tell you” as he sipped his tea. 
​

​Towards the end of the night, Jake decided to introduce his band, but in an unusual way - with a game of Truth or Dare. It began with bassist Emma Lambiase dancing on the pillars, and ended with Jake Wesley Rogers performing “Hindsight” in Simlish - the language of the Sims. Considering he calls it the Peace, Love & Pluto Tour, it was only right for him to close his set with “Pluto”. But that wasn’t the last we’d see of him that night. A moment or two after leaving the stage, Jake returned, sat down at the piano, and shared with us a spoken word piece that he had written during the pandemic. The room was transformed into a flamboyant safe space, full of queer energy, for one night only. "

---

​​​Follow Chelsea Whitaker:
www.chelseawhitakerphotography.com
instagram: @chelseawhitakerphotography
​