Last Friday The Manchester Pride Festival organisers have confirmed even more great artists to appear at the award-winning annual Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) celebration this summer.
Singer-songwriter and musician Katy B, has stormed the music world as an electronica, house, dubstep, R&B, dance and UK garage artist since releasing her debut album, On a Mission, in 2011. She has worked with some of the industry’s biggest names including Mark Ronson and Tinie Tempah and her upcoming collaborative project ‘Honey’ features artists including Craig David, Major Lazer, Jamie Jones and Hannah Watts.
From the enduring pop star machine that is Simon Cowell’s empire, Walthamstow’s Fleur East was a competitor on season 11 of the U.K. X Factor (coming in second to winner Ben Haenow), performing a memorable rendition of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ ubiquitous 2015 hit “Uptown Funk.”
After the 2014 season of The X Factor, she signed with Cowell’s Syco Music label and began recording her first full-length album. Late 2015 saw the release of the lead single “Sax,” a horn-heavy throwback combination of peak-era Michael Jackson and “Uptown” funk. Her debut, Love, Sax & Flashbacks, was released in December of that year.
Manchester based K-Klass are responsible for some of the biggest dance tracks ever made. They cut their teeth playing live at huge raves as well as iconic clubs such as The Hacienda, Cream, Ministry of Sound and many others. For over quarter of a century they have rocked dance floors and live gigs without fail, racking up no fewer than 5 UK top 40 hits and a Grammy Nomination along the way. They’ll be performing their acclaimed live dance classics show at The Big Weekend.
Underground DJ Ben Pearce’s name is well known for ‘What I Might Do’, his oddly anthemic deep-house debut that dominated club floors across the world in 2012. The track went platinum in Europe, reached #7 in the UK charts and was the most Shazamed track of 2013 in the UK.
David Dunne has been a constant figure in the ever-evolving dance music scene and culture since 1988. He has been described and applauded as “the DJ’s DJ” (Manchester Evening News), His Dj career spans over twenty years behind the decks, breaking and supporting dance music on Radio. David estimates that he has produced and/or presented over 2000 dance music radio shows in his career so far! At The Big Weekend he will perform a Paradise Factory Classics set.
In a career currently spanning more than two decades and three countries – Paulette has made entertaining on a European scale look effortless. She has spent many amazing years as a resident at some of the biggest and best clubs in the world and with residencies in prestigious clubs in three countries.
The artists will join multi-million selling Brit Award winning singer-songwriter, Will Young and international DJ Judge Jules who will perform at the event alongside Pride-favourite and singer/songwriter, Heather Peace and the popular ‘Heather Peace Presents’ Boutique Stage line-up in Sackville Gardens.
Mark Fletcher, Chief Executive of Manchester Pride, said: “ “This is our second artist announcement of 2016 and we’re excited to add these brilliant acts to the line up for The Big Weekend. Katy B, Fleur East and K-Klass are all quite different, they’ll be sure to put on some great shows. And, Ben Pearce is another big name added to the line up for the Gaydio Dance Arena which will see some banging sets from well know and loved DJ’s. David Dunne’s Paradise Factory set is definitely one not to miss.”
“Alongside Will Young and Judge Jules these additions are adding to a great entertainment line up and we still have big announcements to make in the coming months. Tickets sold out last year and we think that with these artists we’ve provided more reasons for people to show their support and buy their pledge bands early.”<
The Manchester Pride Festival is an award-winning four-day event celebrating LGBT life. The event takes place in August, with The Big Weekend running from Friday 26 – Monday 29 August and the Parade on Saturday 27 August.
The Big Weekend tickets are on sale now, priced at £22 for weekend tickets. Day, family and children’s tickets are also available. Tickets are exchanged for Pledge Bands at the festival providing guests with access to the event, including the Main Arena, Sackville Gardens, the Gaydio Dance Arena and the Expo and help Manchester Pride raise essential funds for LGBT and HIV causes in Greater Manchester. For more information on The Big Weekend visit the new website at bigweekend.manchesterpride.com.
Manchester Pride asks the community to wear their bands with pride as they pledge to; help Manchester Pride create a safe, world class LGBT celebration, support Manchester Pride’s commitment to raising essential funds for LGBT and HIV causes in Greater Manchester and support the organisation’s campaign for greater LGBT equality.
There’s more to The Manchester Pride Festival than the Big Weekend, with events taking place throughout the month of August. This year also sees the return of Superbia – a year-round calendar of events that showcases, supports and celebrates LGBT and relevant arts, comedy, debate, film, literature, music, sport, theatre, family and community led projects within Greater Manchester, with the aim to encourage engagement, wellbeing and culturally enhance our communities.
To find out more about the Manchester Pride you can follow the charity on Twitter @manchesterpride or visit the website at manchesterpride.com.
