Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Tulisa to join Will Young in Manchester Pride Big Weekend 2016 line-up

Headliners Fleur East, Katy B, Heather Small and Will Young will be joined by special guests presented by G-A-Y Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Tulisa on the bill at Manchester Pride’s Big Weekend on August Bank Holiday.

In January 2014, Sophie – who’d already scored six UK top 10 singles – released Wanderlust, an album full of baroque chamber pop and experimental flirtations with folk. The sudden shift away from disco and dance was considered risky by many, including Ellis-Bextor herself. She needn’t have worried. It 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.

British pop/ 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 the high profile TV talent show X Factor in which she mentored the girl group Little Mix to victory.

The raft of top artists will be supported by Shura, MNEK and Karen Harding as they take to the Thomas Cook Airlines USA Main Stage at Europe’s leading celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) life.

Other acts performing on the main stage include The Big Weekend favourite, 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 international 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. The stage will welcome Magpies, Leslie Finlay, Sophia B, Me and Deboe, Kiera Lawler, Amity, Jade Ellis and of course Heather Peace from 3pm on Saturday.  Other acts performing in Sackville Gardens across the weekend will include the Man Bears, Misty Chance and the Shane Ritchie Jnr Band.

Europe’s leading celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender life runs from Friday 26 to Monday 29 August with the Parade on Saturday 27 August.

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 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 are asking 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.

To find out more about the Manchester Pride follow @manchesterpride or visit manchesterpride.com.