Music

Manchester Pride reveals first artist announcements for 2017

Exuberant, vivacious, loud and loads of fun – expect all that and more from the entertainment line-up at Manchester Prides The Big Weekend this year.

Manchester Pride recently announced three sensational female vocalists and two DJs for its upcoming August bank holiday weekend festival.

Successful solo artist and Spice Girl Melanie C (full name Melanie Chisholm) is slated to perform in a UK Pride event exclusive presented by G-A-Y. The all-round fabulous pop star has recorded seven solo albums with her latest, Version of Me, released last October.

Also confirmed for The Big Weekend is 2015 X Factor champion Louisa Johnson. Not only was this soulful songstress its youngest winner (at just 17!), but Simon Cowell also said he thought she was the best singer who’d ever been on show.

Finnish pop singer-songwriter Saara Sofia Aalto, a runner-up in both 2012’s The Voice of Finland and 2016’s X Factor, rounds out the trio of ladies set to take to the stage for The Big Weekend.

Big Weekend line-up

Stepping behind the turntables will be fashion consultant and TV presenter Gok Wan, who will try his hand spinning a mix of ’90s deep house and reggae. Plus, expect Hercules and Love Affair vocalist Shaun J Wright to provide a healthy dose of dance music.

The Big Weekend – which includes The Manchester Pride Parade and The Candlelit Vigil – is shaping up to be another unforgettable, joyful and positive festival event. It takes place on 25 – 28 August at Manchester’s famous Gay Village.

Last year a wide range of artists came out to perform and party while Manchester Pride raised a record-breaking £149,000 to benefit LGBT and HIV causes in the region.

Don’t miss out on what’s sure to be the best Pride celebration ever! Tickets for 2017’s The Big Weekend are on sale now at Ticketmaster.co.uk.