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Mersey singer Marc Almond to make
Liverpool Pride debut
LIVERPOOL Pride Festival has
revealed that acclaimed Mersey singer Marc Almond will headline the Summer 2017
event.
The former Soft Cell front man is originally from Southport. He has sold over 30
million records worldwide, and is appearing at Liverpool Pride for the 1st time
just weeks after he celebrates his 60th Birthday.
This is the 8th consecutive year of Liverpool Pride, a free 2 day event
celebrating all things LGBT. This year's festival takes place, on Saturday, 29
July 2017 and Sunday, 30 July 2017, returning to St George's Quarter for the 2nd
year. ₤
Liverpool Pride has grown to become one of the City's major annual events. Last
year, the festival attracted more than 32,000 festivalgoers to celebrate
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
The theme for Liverpool Pride 2017 is International Love, with organisers
spreading the Liverpool message far and wide. Liverpool Pride's International
Love theme will also complement a City wide season of events and performances to
mark the 50th Anniversary of the Summer of Love. The 50 Summers of Love season
will run from May to August 2017.
Marc Almond played a vital role in the new wave music movement, scoring an
international hit with the song Tainted Love in 1981. The song still remains a
huge favourite with many of today's artistes; including:- The Pussy Cat Dolls
and Rihanna; sampling the track on new releases.
Tainted Love broke all records as the track that remained the longest in the US
Billboard Top 100, the song also received a Brit award for best single. He again
hit the top of the charts in 1989 with 60's legend, the late Gene Pitney, with
the duet Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart, which remained at Number 1 for 5
weeks.
Almond continues to record new music and in January he released the single:-
'A Kind Of Love.' 2 months later, he released an album of greatest
hits:- 'Hits And Pieces,' 'The Best of Marc Almond' and
'Soft Cell.' It entered the Official UK Album Charts, at Number 7, and
was followed by a short sold out UK tour.
The singer is currently working on a new solo album for release in September
2017, coinciding with a 20 date UK tour.
Marc Almond commented:- "I was born near enough to Liverpool for it to
feel like a home City for me. It feels very special to be opening and headlining
this year's Pride event. Liverpool is famous for being a diverse, friendly,
tolerant City so I hope that many people will come and have a good time and
support the event."
Liverpool Pride will return to St George's Quarter for a 2nd year. The festival
site covers the areas of St George's Hall Plateau, St John's Gardens and William
Brown Street, and will feature 3 stages.
The Main Stage will be located on William Brown Street and will feature Marc
Almond and additional performers to be announced in the coming months; the
Plateau Stage will be in front of St George's Hall showcasing the World On One
Stage sponsored by Manchester Airport and supported by The Arts Council, and
will feature music linked to the festival theme of International Love; and the
Garden Stage with indy music and spoken word will be located at St John's
Gardens.
Liverpool Pride Festival Chair Lucy Day commented:- "Last year's Liverpool
Pride was absolutely incredible. The new festival location of St George's
Quarter proved an extremely popular choice with festivalgoers so we're
absolutely thrilled to announce that we will be returning to this stunning
setting for 2017. Come and join us for a free, 2 day family friendly celebration
of all things LGBT this Summer, with Mersey singer Marc Almond headlining the
festival on his Liverpool Pride debut. Watching Marc perform against the
backdrop of one of the City's most iconic venues is going to be a huge highlight
for 2017; and we cannot wait."
The Liverpool Pride Festival began as a community response to the death of
murdered gay teenager Michael Causer, who tragically lost his life on 2 August
2008.
The festival was specifically created in 2010 in Michael's memory as a way to
celebrate his life and to empower the LGBT communities. The festival continues
to remind the community to stand up for LGBT culture and equality through a City wide celebration where everyone is welcome.
Each year, the Liverpool Pride March is an increasingly popular and poignant
part of the special weekend; and again the march will play a major role in the
weekend's programme when it makes its way through the City on the Saturday,
starting at 12pm, from St George's Hall Plateau. The procession will return to St
George's Quarter at 1pm when stage entertainment will run until 9pm.
Sunday sees the return of We Are Family with fun activities, workshops and
entertainment throughout the day. Singer and vocal expert Jennifer John returns
to work with community choirs, supported by The Arts Council.
New for 2017 is a film and theatre programme to complement the theme of
International Love. This includes Queertet 2017, at HUS during the week of Pride,
and Gypsy Queen, at The Unity, on Friday, 28 July 2017 and Saturday, 29 July 2017.
Further programme announcements will be made in the coming months.
Manchester Airport has come on board this year to support Liverpool Pride
Festival 2017 as the Official Airport Sponsor. The airport joins Radio City, who
has been named as the Official Media Partner for this year's event.
Keep up to date with Liverpool Pride's new announcements at:-
LiverpoolPride.Co.UK
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