Pride artists 'can be totally free in a safe space'

Pride allows LGBTQ+ musicians the freedom to perform "without limitations" and bring "out there" stage shows to life, says one of the stars of the annual festival.

Michael T Ogilvie, who is once again set to take to the stage at this year's Newcastle Pride, said similar events have helped him hone who he is as an artist.

The singer founded The Future is Queer collective, which showcases LGBTQ+ musicians and brings a large choreographed production to Pride every year.

Ogilvie said the two-day festival in July allowed musicians to "get the vision out of their head and on to the stage".

"I know a lot of these LGBTQI+ performers are very out there. They are very flamboyant, they do these massive productions and they've got these great ideas," he said.

"So it's great to provide these stages where they [the performers] can be totally free and show who they want to be as an artist, without limitations and in front of a really safe space with a really engaged crowd."

Ogilvie's first Pride performance was in Cumbria in 2017, where he performed in front of a crowd of thousands.

He said it was rare for a musician to be given the chance to perform to such a large audience so early on in their career, and it had allowed him to hone who he was as an artist.

"To be given that opportunity was fabulous," he said.

The Future is Queer is set to perform again at this year's Newcastle Pride, when the festival takes over the city on 19 and 20 July.

This year's festival is being headlined by pop star Pixie Lott, stylist-turned-DJ Gok Wan and Drag Race UK finalist Michael Marouli.

It will also feature tribute acts, dance and cabaret performances.

But the festival's organiser, Northern Pride, said it remained committed to ensuring local creatives played a part in the event, and has asked homegrown acts to apply for a slot.

The organisation is urging anyone who wants to sing, dance, perform comedy or run a workshop to get in touch.

Northern Pride's director, Ste Dunn, said he was overwhelmed by the continued support the Newcastle festival has received in recent years.

"We are delighted to be bringing an even bigger and better Newcastle Pride to the city centre this year to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community," he said.

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