Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Tulisa added to Manchester Pride main stage line-up.
Headliners Fleur East, Katy B, Heather Small and Will Young will be joined by special guests Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Tulisa on the bill at Manchester Pride’s The Big Weekend on August bank holiday.
In January 2014, Sophie Ellis-Bextor – released Wanderlust, an album full of baroque chamber pop and experimental flirtations with folk. The sudden shift away from the disco and dance of old was seen as risky by many, including Ellis-Bextor herself. She needn’t have worried; it subsequently crashed into the UK top 5, spent three weeks inside the top 10 and went Gold. Its success – both commercially and creatively – has been a huge influence on its follow-up, the equally gorgeous, surprising and engaging Familia.
Hip-hop singer-songwriter, actress, and television personality Tulisa is best known as a member of N-Dubz. In 2011, she also became a judge on X Factor where she mentored the girl group Little Mix to victory.
Other acts appearing include Lucy Spraggan, Manchester based dance act K-Klass performing a live classics set, Britain’s Got Talent finalist Danny Beard, X Factor favourite Seann Miley Moore plus Anne-Marie, Imani Williams, Frankmusik, Jordan Gray, Eli Cripps and Damon Hess and Emily Cunliffe (Kym Marsh’s daughter).
The Gaydio Dance Arena will host an equally impressive DJ line-up including DJ Judge Jules, newly announced New York based Fashion Forward DJ Miss Honey Dijon, San Francisco DJ crew Honey Soundsystem, David Dunne, DJ Paulette, Seamus Haji, Homoelectric stalwart, Jamie Bull, Kriss Herbert and Manchester favourites, Neil Diablo and Sian Bennett.
Heather Peace will host the popular ‘Heather Peace Presents’ Boutique Stage line-up in Sackville Gardens featurin Magpies, Leslie Finlay, Sophia B, Me and Deboe, Kiera Lawler, Amity, Jade Ellis and Heather herself from 3pm on Saturday August 27.
Other acts performing in Sackville Gardens across the weekend will include the Man Bears, Misty Chance and the Shane Ritchie Jnr Band.
Mark Fletcher, Chief Executive for Manchester Pride, said: “It’s great to finally reveal our full line-up. Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Tulisa are brilliant additions, thanks to G-A-Y. They’ll be in good company with Fleur East, Katy B, Heather Small and Judge Jules, making this one of the most credible and diverse line ups we’ve ever seen at The Big Weekend, as they perform alongside LGBT icons including MNEK, Shura and Will Young….Bring it on!”
Manchester Pride Festival is a four-day event celebrating LGBT life and takes place in August. The Big Weekend runs from Friday, August 26 to Monday, August 29 with the Parade on Saturday August 27.
The Big Weekend tickets are on sale now, priced at £25 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 funds for LGBT and HIV causes in Greater Manchester.
For more information on The Big Weekend, click here: