MANCHESTER PRIDE FESTIVAL UNVEILS FINAL HEADLINERS: ALISON GOLDFRAPP AND RAVEN MANDELLA, WITH SPECIAL GUEST CONCHITA WURST

Celebrate diversity and inclusion with one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charity events, taking place Friday 25 - Monday 28 August

Manchester Pride Festival, one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charity events, is thrilled to announce its final headliners of the 2023 programme - Alison Goldfrapp and Raven Mandella. Joining them as a special guest is the celebrated drag artist and musician, Conchita Wurst.This completes the line-up for the festival, promising a star-studded weekend of celebrations.

Alison Goldfrapp, hot off the success of her debut solo album, “The Love Invention,” and the electrifying lead single “So Hard So Hot,” is gearing up to perform on Saturday 26 August alongside artists including, Black Peppa, Jodie Harsh and international drag icon  Pabllo Vittar.

Festival-goers will know Alison Goldfrapp as the voice behind the chart-topping electronic duo Goldfrapp, whose hits such as “Strict Machine,” “Ooh La La,” “Ride A White Horse,” and “Rocket” have left indelible marks on the global music scene. With seven successful albums, a Mercury Prize nomination, multiple Grammy and Brit Awards nominations, and two Ivor Novello award wins including one for “Strict Machine,” Goldfrapp’s contribution to music is undeniable.

Adding to the excitement, the “unapologetically Black and queer” dancer, drag performer and DJ, Raven Mandella will headline Black Pride MCR on the MancUnity Stage on Saturday 26 August. 

As a world-renowned dancer and drag performer, Mandella has ignited stages worldwide for stars like Honey Dijon, Groove Armada, Kelly Rowland, and Nile Rogers. His flamboyant shows at Heaven in London have made him a crowd favourite, as well as his performances with Sink the Pink, Ministry of Sound, and Defected’s Glitterbox.

On Saturday, Austrian drag artist Conchita Wurst, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 as Austria’s entry with the song “Rise Like a Phoenix,” will join Booking.com in the Parade, before taking to the Village Stage later that evening. 

Tom Neuwirth a.k.a. Conchita Wurst became a figurehead of the queer community overnight after the Eurovision win. Since then, he has released three albums, hosted TV shows, performed on stage across the globe and used his platform to support socio-political causes. Conchita is also the Travel Proud Ambassador for Booking.com.

With a world class lineup featuring Jake Shears, Pabllo Vittar, Gok Wan, Danny Beard, Natasha Bedingfield, Lisa Scott-Lee and Jodie Harsh, amongst others, the festival promises a weekend of unforgettable moments.

Manchester Pride Festival 2023 is dedicated to fostering diversity, inclusivity, and community celebration. With a staggering 96% of performers identifying as queer, 54% being women, 51% being people of colour, more than 42% from trans and non-binary communities and 34% of performers being disabled or neurodivergent, this year’s festival guarantees a unique and enriching experience for all attendees.

Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, expressed his excitement about the diverse lineup, saying: “This year, more than ever, we are thrilled to be presenting such a diverse lineup that truly reflects the vibrancy and diversity of our communities.

“Alison Goldfrapp’s powerful performances, Raven Mandella’s unapologetically queer stage presence and Conchita’s inspiring music and message will undoubtedly make this year’s festival an unforgettable celebration.”

Tickets for the Gay Village Party are available to purchase through Ticketmaster, and for each ticket sold, £2.50 will be donated to the Manchester Pride Community Fund, which directly supports LGBTQ+ causes and projects in Greater Manchester via grant distribution. More information about Manchester Pride Festival 2023 and ticket purchasing can be found at www.manchesterpride.com.



ENDS

Notes to editor:

Manchester Pride is campaigning for the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality; it celebrates LGBTQ+ life and creates opportunities that engage LGBTQ+ people so that they can thrive.

As one of the leading LGBTQ+ charities in the UK, its work aims to challenge discrimination in relation to homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and through its grant-giving,  supports, enriches and empowers LGBTQ+ community groups, events and causes in Greater Manchester.  

The organisation fundraises by staging a number of events throughout the year, including the award-winning Manchester Pride Festival, and the year-round programme of culture, Superbia. Since 2003, Manchester Pride has  pledged over £1.5million in grants.

Visit www.manchesterpride.com for more information and resources.

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