Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Blue to headline Pride Bristol

Jun 14 2013
Written by Corinne Pinfold

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor and boy band Blue have been announced to headline the free Bristol Pride festival which takes place on Saturday 13 July in Castle Park.

The boys from Blue will headline the afternoon whilst multi-platinum disco pop singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be closing the show in the evening.

Pride Day features three stages, family area, funfair, market and food traders, community zone and even a Pride hot air balloon. Over 40 acts will be performing including XFactor’s Ruth Lorenzo, Ronika, Wildflowers, Bashema, local rock band Beyond Recall and Little Boots who will headline the Pride afterparty being held in the O2 Academy.

The festival is a culmination of a week of events across the city from the 5-14 July and events range from film, sports, talks, theatre, book signings, comedy, and a sing along Mamma Mia event in the Cabot Circus Showcase Cinema with screenplay writer Catherine Johnson.

Over 20,000 people are expected to attend the festival, some travelling from all over the country to the UK’s largest free Pride, bringing thousands of pounds into the local economy while boosting Bristol’s standing as a city of culture and diversity.

Pride Day is free but organisers are offering discounts at the bar and on food concessions for those that have purchased a Pride Supporters Wristband. Full event listings and information can be found on the Pride Bristol website.

Last year’s march was subject to heightened security as the far-right English Defence League (EDL) staged an anti-Islamic march on the same day in Bristol. Ultimately, however, the events took place without clashes.

Pride in London will take place on 29 May, hosted by Paralympian Claire Harvey and former Byker Grove and Doctor Who actor Andrew Hayden-Smith, along with drag act Dusty O.