Manchester Pride has today announced that multi platinum selling artist Jessie J will perform at the Gay Village Party as part of the Manchester Pride Festival this August Bank Holiday Weekend. 

Marking her first return to perform in Manchester in six years, Jessie will be joined by two time Eurovision winner Loreen and another big headline act which organisers say will be announced at a later date.

Other performers who will be joining the array of LGBTQ+ talent from Manchester include Katy B, Chinchilla, Radio 1’s Dean McCullough, reigning Drag Race UK winner Ginger Johnson, Claire Richards from the Brit award winning band Steps and Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton.

The world renowned Manchester Pride Festival is one of the leading celebrations of LGBTQ+ life in Europe which provides a platform to showcase a top class roster of LGBTQ+ performers from Greater Manchester. 

The Gay Village Party hosts three performance spaces in Manchester’s Gay Village; The Village Stage which occupies an outdoor car park in the middle of the event site, The Alan Turing Stage in Sackville Gardens and the Indoor Arena.

Located in a covered car park, the Indoor Arena provides a warehouse style clubbing experience. The space will play home to the The Gaydio Dance Arena which makes its grand return on Saturday 24 August, headlined by Manchester native DJ Paulette. It will also host a number of takeovers including Runway with Banksie Manchester’s very own 7-foot drag supermodel–who will be kicking off the Bank Holiday in true Manc style, as they host a runway showcasing glamorous queer couture and fashion realness.

In addition to the stages there are markets, food vendors, concessions and pop up performances held on the streets and within the bars and clubs around the Gay Village.  

Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride said: “Each year we ask our communities what they'd like to see at the Festival and I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to respond with this line up. Jessie J and Loreen are outstanding performers. It’s brilliant to have them sharing the stage with local Queer talent and supporting us as we continue to push the Pride movement forward.”

“There’s a huge variety of entertainment on offer this year; a host of classic Pride favourites, emerging artists, drag royalty and well known performers spanning a whole range of genres.”

“What’s most important is the representation and visibility of the further marginalised LGBTQ+ people. The way we’ve been able to achieve this is through co-curation with our communities. The stage takeovers enable us to deliver an event which is designed by our communities for our communities and allies to enjoy.”  

“This year will see one of the biggest weekends we’ve delivered. We’ve got another headline act lined up and a few surprises in store that we’ll be announcing over the coming months so we’re encouraging attendees to get their tickets in advance to avoid disappointment because it’s likely to be a sold out event.”

Stage takeovers will include Trans Filth & Joy, the Queer Asian Takeover,The Queer Women's Takeover,  Danny Beard & Friends and the unmissable  Black Pride MCR which will host a takeover on the Village Stage, centering the very best local QTIPOC talent with high energy drag, house music and world class vogue performances. 

Earlybird, Pre Sale and First Release tickets have now sold out. Second Release Weekend and VIP tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster now from £27.50 for a day ticket and £42.50 for a weekend ticket. A fixed donation of £2.50 from every ticket sold goes directly to the Manchester Pride Community Fund, ensuring that LGBTQ+ causes and projects in Greater Manchester receive vital support with grants that are distributed throughout the year.

With more brilliant names to be added. To find out more about Manchester Pride, visit the website: manchesterpride.com/gay-village-party

ENDS

Notes to editor:

Manchester Pride is one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charities. Its work aims to challenge discrimination in relation to homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. Through its grant-giving the charity supports, enriches and empowers LGBTQ+ community groups, events and causes in Greater Manchester.  

The organisation fundraises by staging events throughout the year, including the award-winning Manchester Pride Festival. 

Since 2003, Manchester Pride has raised and distributed over £1.8million.

Why Manchester Pride?
Manchester Pride is part of a global Pride movement celebrating LGTBQ+ equality and challenging discrimination. Whether you’re attending Pride to protest, party, or both, some benefits of the festival include:

• Manchester Pride’s August Bank Holiday events make a £27.5 million impact and contribution to the economy of the city of Manchester.
• Manchester Pride creates opportunities for LGBTQ+ people and allies to gain skills. Each year, the charity trains more than 250 volunteers to be a part of the celebrations.
• The festival provides a platform for LGBTQ+ artists from Greater Manchester, giving them access to a large audience.
• Services and supplies are procured from LGBTQ+ owned businesses across the region.

Visitwww.manchesterpride.com for more information and resources.

For media enquiries, please contact: harry@wearejam.agency or call 0161 850 0565

To apply for Manchester Pride Festival accreditation, please fill out this form by 26th July 2024.

*All tickets are subject to a 10% booking fee, fee is applied to the ticket only and not the £2.50 fixed donation.