From drag sensations to pop icons – meet the headliners of Manchester Pride Festival 2023

Manchester Pride Festival 2023 is all set to illuminate the city with its most diverse and representative lineup ever

The Most Diverse Pride Ever

This year’s Gay Village Party promises to be an unforgettable celebration of LGBTQ+ life and love, with an astounding 96% of performers identifying as queer, 54% being women, 51% people of colour, and over 42% from trans and non-binary communities.

The festival showcases the richness and vibrancy of Manchester’s queer communities, making it a true reflection of the city’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

Manchester Pride Lineup 2023

And they have just announced the final headliners of the 2023 programme, the iconic Alison Goldfrapp and Raven Mandella.

Joining them as a special guest is the celebrated drag artist and musician, Conchita Wurst.

Alison Goldfrapp

Alison Goldfrapp, known for her work with chart-topping electronic duo Goldfrapp, is ready to dazzle the crowd with her electrifying solo album, “The Love Intention,” and the fiery lead single “So Hard So Hot.”

Festival-goers can expect to be enthralled by her iconic hits like “Strict Machine,” “Ooh La La,” “Ride A White Horse,” and “Rocket,”.

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,” we can’t wait to see her perform.

Raven Mandella

Adding to the excitement, the stage will be set on fire by the “unapologetically Black and queer” dancer, drag performer, and DJ, Raven Mandella, who will headline Black Pride MCR on the MancUnity Stage.

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.

Austrian drag artist Conchita Wurst

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

The Pride Line Up

The festival lineup, featuring acclaimed artists like Jake Shears, Pabllo Vittar, Gok Wan, Danny Beard, Natasha Bedingfield, Lisa Scott-Lee, and Jodie Harsh, promises an unforgettable weekend of celebrations.

But it’s not just the star power that makes Manchester Pride Festival 2023 stand out; it’s the dedication to representation and inclusion.

A staggering 96% of performers identify as queer, 54% are women, 51% are people of colour, over 42% come from trans and non-binary communities, and 34% are disabled or neurodivergent.

This diversity ensures that this year’s festival will offer a unique and enriching experience for all attendees.

Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, expressed his excitement about the lineup, emphasising the festival’s commitment to reflecting the vibrancy and diversity of the LGBTQ+ communities.

Speaking to I Love Manchester, he said: “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 through Ticketmaster, and each ticket sold will contribute £2.50 to the Manchester Pride Community Fund, supporting LGBTQ+ causes and projects in Greater Manchester through grant distribution.

Manchester Pride Tickets

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 their website by clicking here.