Manchester Pride Live reveal Queen frontman Adam Lambert as first performer for 2020 festival

Manchester Pride has revealed its first performer for its Pride Live 2020 festival – and it’s quite a coup for organisers.

Following the announcement that the new music edition of the festival will return to Mayfield Depot for its second year, the Pride Live team have revealed American singer Adam Lambert will be flying in for a special performance.

The LGBTQ activist will play Manchester Pride as part of his European Velvet Tour on Sunday 30th August.

Lambert, who currently performs as the frontman for Queen in the place of Freddy Mercury, first rose to fame in 2009 on the eighth season of American Idol.

To date, he has sold over three million albums and five million singles worldwide.

His Pride Live show is one of just two UK dates confirmed by the singer so far as part of his Velvet European tour. He will also be touring with Queen later this year.

Mark Fletcher, chief executive for Manchester Pride, said; “We are beyond thrilled that Adam has created a space in his tour to join in our celebrations of LGBTQ+ life in Manchester.

“As a charity that campaigns for LGBTQ+ equality all year round it’s incredibly important to us that we showcase the breadth of LGBTQ+ artists who provide inspiration to all.

“To have such an influential LGBTQ activist as Adam choose to perform at Manchester Pride Live is testament to the reputation that Manchester has as a leading city, worldwide in the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality.”

Adam said: “I am so excited to perform at Manchester Pride for the very first time! Something I have always wanted to do! I keep hearing that LGBTQ + representation is on fire over there and I can’t wait to be part of it and see you soon!”.

Manchester Pride Festival will return for another weekend of campaigning, celebrating and fundraising for LGBTQ+ life in Greater Manchester over the August Bank Holiday 2020.

Festival organisers have announced a few changes for 2020 following feedback in 2019, including a reduced capacity and more toilets on site.

Following accessibility issues at last year’s inaugural Pride Live event, the charity will also be conducting numerous accessibility listening groups and seeking expert advice from relevant disability charities and the community who it feels can offer valuable input on the accessibility offerings for Manchester Pride Festival 2020.

Organisers will be working in partnership with Attitude is Everything who will be providing accessibility accreditation across the weekend.

The internationally renowned festival will come alive across the city with a programme of events curated to appeal to a variety of different audiences to create the charity’s most inclusive event yet.

Tickets to Manchester Pride Festival are available now. Rainbow passes start at £35 for a day pass and £65 for the whole weekend.

A rainbow pass entitles festival-goers to access to two days at Manchester Pride Live and four days at the Gay Village Party over the bank holiday weekend.

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