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Manchester Pride Festival 2024 – line-up deep dive
Your ultimate guide to the divas, DJs and drag queens lighting up Manchester's Gay Village Party this August
As cities go, Manchester is up there with the most colourful, inclusive and fun in the UK. That’s why its August bank holiday Pride celebration – which has become an annual staple since 1991 – is always one to remember. Alongside a ceremonial parade and a candlelit vigil dedicated to those lost to HIV, the weekend sees Manchester’s iconic Gay Village transform into a melting pot of queer-centric music, drag, dance and theatre – welcoming internationally beloved superstars and burgeoning local talent alike.
Pride may feel synonymous with pop music (and for good reason, too), but the beauty of Manchester Pride is it’s diversity: there’s drag of every shape and size, cabaret that’ll blow the glitter off your face, and of course, DJs to help you dance until your feet are sore. With such an array of talent to see, we’ve taken a closer look at this year’s line-up across the 23-25 August.
The headliners
Jessie J
With an agile, soulful voice recognised far and wide, and a string of euphoric pop hits sitting under her belt, Jessie J’s Friday headline slot just makes sense. Perhaps one of the most memed artists of her generation (especially by the queer community), it’s been over 13 years since the former The Voice judge shook up British pop music with her multi-platinum selling debut album Who You Are, birthing classics like ‘Price Tag’ and ‘Domino’. Independent as of last year, alongside her steadfast pop, dance and R&B-spanning catalogue, fans will be hoping that the singer uses Pride to preview some new material (which she’s hinted at online), especially considering that her last solo release was in 2021.
Loreen
Everyone’s favourite crystal-nailed double Eurovision champion is top of the bill on Saturday, who will no doubt be treating fans to a slice of her spellbinding, electro-tinged Swedish pop. Her trademark – a combination of unique choreography, powerful belts and a transfixing stage presence – make it easy to see how she captured the world’s attention not once, but twice with her winning entries: 2011’s icy ‘Euphoria’ and 2023’s Europop thumper ‘Tattoo’.
Rita Ora
Sharing Saturday’s headline slot with Loreen is Rita Ora, another pop diva who defined the UK charts in the 2010s. Since hitting number one three times in 2012 with ‘Hot Right Now’, ‘How We Do (Party)’ and ‘R.I.P.’, the BRIT Award-winning singer, actress and fashion designer has tried her hand at ’90s house and R&B, collaborated with Fatboy Slim and Charli XCX and opened tours for Coldplay and Drake.
Sugababes
One of the defining British girl groups of the ’00s, the Sugababes haven’t let a few line-up changes get in the way of their success, which includes a mere 26 consecutive UK Top 40 hits (including six No.1s). Now back to their original line-up, Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan are thankfully back to doing what they do best: harmonising over their tongue-in-cheek pop/R&B classics at the likes of Glastonbury, Mighty Hoopla and now for the first time, Manchester Pride as they prepare to take on the Sunday headliner slot.
Drag excellence
Black Peppa
It’s undeniable: Black Peppa was the lip-sync assassin of Drag Race series 4. Quickly becoming a fan-favourite with their dynamic, fashion-forward drag and captivating performances, since departing the show the self-described ‘Caribbean empress of Birmingham’ has made a foray into making unashamedly flamboyant dance music with the singles ‘Why Is She Calling?’ and ‘Money’, both of which served with their signature Sint Marteen swagger.
Asifa Lahore
Regarded as the UK’s first out Muslim drag queen, DJ, singer and dancer Asifa Lahore’s craft is inspired by her upbringing in a Pakistani-British household. Amid her blend of Bollywood and Western pop, keep an eye out on Saturday as she charges her all-singing, all-dancing performances with emboldened political statements and cheeky pop culture references.
Bailey J Mills
Once describing themselves as more of a clown than a drag queen, everything about Manchester local Bailey’s beautifully slapdash drag is unserious – and that’s exactly why so many people love it. From Cheryl Cole and Frankie Bridgers impersonations to their original out-of-the-box slapstick sketches, Bailey’s talent for putting smiles on people’s faces – and their impressive singing voice – make them a no-brainer for the festival’s Sunday celebration.
Anna Phylactic
Another star of Manchester’s glorious drag scene, Anna Phylactic has made a name for herself with striking out-of-this-world looks (which see her shapeshift from a gold-drenched vampire to a Japanese Kaiju), left-field pantomime shows and an appearance on the fifth season of US reality competition show The Boulet Brother’s Dragula. “I love Manchester for a number of different reasons. It’s a city, but it feels small as well,” the Sunday performer is quoted as saying. “I think that bleeds into our LGBT community. Manchester has a real mix of communities and a lot of love.”
Something to bump and groove to
Katy B
Bridging elements of garage, dubstep, R&B and pop music, Katy B’s music is made for one place: the club, which she’ll undoubtedly bring to the Gay Village on Saturday. Her Mercury Prize-nominated debut album On A Mission introduced us to her emotion-heavy, sweat-inducing sound back in 2011, and her dedication to the dancefloor hasn’t wavered since – whether she’s appearing on Rinse FM, collaborating with Kaytranada and Ms. Dynamite or performing at Glastonbury.
Bimini
Another Drag Race UK icon, runner-up Bimini’s star power was clear for all to see in the second series’ first episode – most notably when they did a headstand to Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s ‘Relax’ wearing nothing but a Norwich F.C.-inspired leotard. Initially treating fans to acrobatic performances of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera hits after their stint on the show, last year Bimini found their own lane in music with their debut EP When The Party Ends, which swirls together alternative dance, electropop and house with their signature punk spirit and confessional lyricism.
DJ Paulette
A house music veteran, Manchester’s own DJ Paulette is one of only two women to hold residencies at Manchester’s iconic ’90s dance palace, The Haçienda. A regular at Heaven, Ministry of Sound and on the Ibiza club circuit, her sets are an ode to the queer community – intertwining disco, house and techno. If you’re looking to lose yourself in dance on Saturday, DJ Paulette will be on hand to provide the groove you’re looking for.
Lauren Lo Sung
Cutting her teeth on Manchester and Liverpool’s club scenes, DJ, producer and LoLiFE label boss Lauren Lo Sung doesn’t just keep herself busy – she keeps the dancefloors of fabric, The Warehouse Project and Ibiza’s DC-10 crowded too. Sunday’s crowd can expect groove-heavy house, vintage garage and shadowy dub from her sets – and some gay classics for good measure, of course.
It’s theatre, darling
![Kaela Settle - This Is Me (from The Greatest Showman) [The Graham Norton Show]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TqKbKp0ZoNI/0.jpg)
Keala Settle
American actress, singer and Broadway star Keala Settle has had a career that many would envy. Name a musical – Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert, Hairspray, Les Misérables – and she’s starred in it. Her biggest break, however, came with 2017’s The Greatest Showman and Settle’s staple track ‘This Is Me’, which won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for an Academy Award. Her original music such as ‘Imperfect’ and ‘Shooting At Myself’ is just as empowering – and makes for the perfect surprise addition to the Friday line-up.
The Bitten Peach
As any queer creative knows, it’s important to carve out your own space if one doesn’t already exist for you – and that’s exactly what The Bitten Peach has done. Founded in 2019 as the UK’s first queer Pan-Asian cabaret production company, the collective aim to “tell Asian stories, create safe spaces and diversify Asian representation,” by spotlighting everything cabaret has to offer – whether that’s drag, circus acts, burlesque or comedy. For that very reason, their Saturday slot will certainly be one not to miss.
Up-and-coming talent
Felix Mufti
Describing himself as a “scouse, glam, camp, vamp Bratz doll”, Felix Mufti rose to prominence for his portrayal of Roman in the final season of Sex Education last year. But he’s not just on-screen talent: Mufti’s led several transgender-focused initiatives across the UK (from Trans Pride Liverpool to his own queer-led theatre company, Transcend), and uses his experiences as a trans man to inspire his work in poetry, cabaret, drag and music. The latter sees him employ a brash style of rhythm ’n’ rap-inspired spoken word, which you can catch during Friday’s party.
Chinchilla
“Fiery, soulful and empowering” is how Chinchilla describes her brand of alt-pop music. Finding TikTok fame with 2021’s feisty ‘Little Gone Girl’, her defiant lyrics touch on themes of sexual liberation, feminism and the truths of being an independent artist in the industry – most notably on her latest EP, FLYTRAP. A contestant on last year’s The Voice UK, she’s just as known for her impressive hat collection as she is for her powerful voice.
Charlieeeee
What do you get when you combine hyper-pop with jungle breakbeats and an indie slant? The answer is singer-songwriter and producer Charlieeeee. With writing and production credits for the likes of MNEK and Laura Marling, Charlieeee’s own playful, scrappy output – especially 2024’s DOG BOWL – is just as colourful as their y2k look (which is usually completed with Shrek ears, because why not) and their collection of electric guitars, which they’ll be sure to show off on stage on Sunday.
Throwback vibes
Rozalla
Rozalla’s early-’90s seminal hit ‘Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)’ is a masterclass in what makes a Pride anthem: it’s got an earcatching piano melody, emancipating lyrics and was literally designed to be enjoyed on a dancefloor. The Zambian singer – who has also enjoyed success with club-ready hits ‘Faith (In The Power Of Love)’ and ‘Are You Ready To Fly’ – will no doubt bring a touch of feel-good ’90s nostalgia to the Sunday line-up, in addition to some new material in the form of her recent album, Turn On The Light.
Claire Richards
Alongside H, Claire Richards was undoubtedly the leading voice of Steps’ campy dance-pop in the late ’90s/early ’00s. From ‘Tragedy’ to ‘Stomp’, Richards has a never-ending list of LGBTQIA+ anthems under her belt as a member of the band, who have since reunited to continue spreading dance-pop joy. Even better, as a solo artist Richards has collaborated with Michelle Visage and released a cover album of tracks by an array of LGBTQIA+ icons, from Cher to ABBA. Whatever she brings to the Manchester Pride stage on Sunday, expect it to be camp.
Photo credits: Dave J Hogan, Dave Bennett, Samir Hussein, Shirlaine Forrest/ Getty Images; Marie Ladish; and Katie Rainbow
