Manchester Pride Festival 2023: Final headliners announced for August bank holiday include Alison Goldfrapp

The final headliners for Manchester Pride Festival 2023 have been announced. The festival will take over the streets of Manchester from August 25 to 28 and a whole host of musicians and entertainers will take part. 

Fresh from her successful debut solo album ‘The Love Invention’, Alison Goldfrapp,is set to perform at the festival on August 26. She will perform alongside artists including, Black Peppa, Jodie Harsh and international drag icon  Pabllo Vittar.

Some of her most well known tunes are as one half of chart-topping electronic duo Goldfrapp, whose hits such as “Strict Machine,” “Ooh La La,” “Ride A White Horse,” and “Rocket” have left indelible marks on the global music scene. 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,” Goldfrapp’s contribution to music is undeniable.

Black Pride MCR will be headlined by the “unapologetically Black and queer” dancer, drag performer and DJ, Raven Mandella on August 26. 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. 

Also on the Saturday of the festival, 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. 

Who is Conchita Wurst?

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.

With a world class lineup featuring Jake Shears, Pabllo Vittar, Gok Wan, Danny Beard, Natasha Bedingfield, Lisa Scott-Lee and Jodie Harsh, amongst others, the festival promises a weekend of unforgettable moments.

Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, expressed his excitement about the diverse lineup, saying: “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.”

How to get tickets to Manchester Pride Festival 2023

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 on the official website of the festival.