mUsIC staRs aRE loUD anD PRoUD
MANCHESTER Pride’s Big Weekend of celebrations was brought to life by stars of the music world in the Gay Village.
Last night’s line-up was headlined by Rita Ora, who raised the energy levels by taking to the stage with an aerobics routine to sing Your Song and told the crowds ‘you are champions for not giving a **** about the rain.’
Rita, wearing a feathery showgirl swimsuit and yellow platform boots, also performed hits including Hot Right Now, Doing It, Anywhere and Girls – a shimmering synth celebration of bisexuality and female empowerment.
She thanked Manchester Pride for the warm welcome, saying ‘I don’t know if I would be normal in the head without you guys, but who wants to be normal?’
Also on the main stage last night was Noughties singing sensation Samantha Mumba.
The Irish singer showed she had lost none of her pop prowess, prowling the stage in a rainbow glitter mini-dress and thigh-high boots to cover the Diana Ross anthem I’m Coming Out and her much-loved hits Baby Come On Over, Always Come Back To Your Love and Body II Body, sampling David Bowie’s Ashes to Ashes.
She told the M.E.N. after her performance: “Manchester Pride is a gorgeous one. It’s huge and the effort that has gone into it is incredible.
“I was absolutely honoured to be asked to be involved.”
Also performing last night were former American Idol semi-finalist Todrick Hall and singer-songwriter Chelcee Grimes.
Chelcee said: “For me it’s about the next generation and showing them that love who you love, it’s okay.”
Scissor Sisters star Jake Shears, now on his solo tour, came attired in true ringmaster style in white top hat and tails to delight the thousands packing in to the Gay Village on Friday’s opening night.
Strutting out to the strains of All That Jazz from Chicago he ensured the audience were already in fine voice – and posturing a-plenty.
When the Manchester rain started to teem down after his opening song, the crowd didn’t care a jot.
The rainbow brollies went up and revellers sang in lusty voice to Scissor Sisters’ classic Laura. He said: “When you come to a big Pride like this it makes you realise what you’ve been through to get to this place. We need to remember what it’s like to come to a Pride for the first time.”
Earlier on Friday night former Eternal star Louise Redknapp got the crowds into the party spirit with an uplifting set of her biggest solo hits and her girlband classics.
Saturday’s celebrations were headlined by ex-Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle, who slipped onto the stage shielded by a giant set of pink wings, only to emerge in a white feathered coat (and not much else).
Although Nadine played a lot of her solo work – she opened with the insanely catchy dance track Go To Work – she treated fans to a few of Girls Aloud’s greatest hits in her short set.
This year’s festival has been a big hit with revellers who haven’t allowed the occasional drizzle rain on their parade.
Catherine Aspinall, from Wigan, said: “I come to Pride pretty much every year and I love Manchester Pride. I’ve been to many Prides around the UK and this is the best one.”
And Coun Pat Karney, Manchester’s city centre chief, said: “I’ve been to most but this is one of the best Pride weekends ever. Manchester has been a shining showcase for tolerance and acceptance. We lead the country in LGBT celebrations.”
Pride closes tonight with performers including Lucy Spraggan and Alexandra Burke and a candlelit vigil at Sackville Gardens at 9.15pm to remember those we’ve lost to the HIV virus.