‘True Pride’ Is Reclaiming Pride for Queer Artists With a Brand New Festival in Manchester
A brand-new LGBTQ+ festival is arriving in Manchester this summer, and it’s making its mission crystal clear from the start: queer spaces should be shaped by queer people. Launching on August 1, True Pride is positioning itself as an unapologetically queer-curated celebration of music, art, performance, nightlife, and community. One designed specifically to amplify LGBTQ+ voices instead of pushing them to the sidelines.
Taking place at Hidden (an underground club), the festival will transform the venue into a multi-space experience featuring live music, DJs, film screenings, comedy, talks, wellness events, and immersive performances stretching from the afternoon all the way into the early hours of the morning.
What immediately makes True Pride stand out is the intention behind it. The festival was founded and curated by a collective of queer creatives deeply connected to Manchester’s LGBTQ+ scene, including Jamie Irrepressible, DJ Boli Bubbles, DJ Sandra D, Liam Walsh, and Sally McFerran. Together, they’re building an event rooted in the belief that Pride should prioritize queer artistry and queer storytelling at every level.
That mission feels especially important right now. Over the years, many LGBTQ+ people have expressed frustration over mainstream Pride celebrations increasingly centering corporate branding or booking non-queer performers while queer artists themselves struggle to find visibility. True Pride seems determined to challenge that trend head-on by creating a space that celebrates the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ creativity without diluting it for mainstream comfort.
The festival’s programming reflects that vision in a huge way. Attendees will be able to move through several themed areas across the venue, including an Indie Room, an acoustic performance space, an electronica basement, an outdoor dance area, an arts lounge, and even a queer-focused film room. The lineup also blends music and nightlife with conversations and wellness offerings, creating a festival atmosphere that feels equally focused on celebration, connection, and community care.
Once midnight hits, the event shifts into full party mode, with queer DJs taking over all three floors of the venue and playing exclusively queer music until 2 a.m. It’s the kind of detail that really highlights what True Pride is trying to accomplish: creating an LGBTQ+ experience that feels intentionally curated for queer audiences from beginning to end.
The first set of confirmed performers already paints a strong picture of that commitment to queer artistry. Artists announced so far include The Irrepressibles, The Hidden Cameras, Leo Chadburn, Kerry Leigh, Ollie Becker, Run Remedy, Alabaster Queen, DJ Sandra D, and Jamie Irrepressible ( PA/DJ set), with additional names still set to be revealed in the coming weeks.
“True Pride is about creating a space where queer artists, audiences and stories are not on the sidelines but at the centre,” Jamie Irrepressible said in a statement. “It’s about building something celebratory, representative and genuinely exciting—a platform for both emerging voices and established artists across the community.”
Alongside the festival launch, the organizers and Of Naked Design are also introducing the OND Fund, a new bursary initiative supporting queer songwriters from disadvantaged backgrounds across the UK. Two artists each year will receive financial support to help fund music projects, tours, or launch events, with the added opportunity to perform at True Pride itself.
The deadline for submissions is 15 May, 2026, with the two successful applicants to be announced by 22 May, 2026. Applications can be submitted here. This initiative adds another layer to the festival’s larger goal of actively investing in queer talent instead of simply showcasing it.
For us, that’s what makes True Pride feel genuinely exciting. It’s not just another Pride event trying to capitalize on rainbow aesthetics during the summer. It feels like a deliberate attempt to create something community-led, artist-driven, and proudly queer.
And in a moment where many LGBTQ+ people are searching for spaces that feel authentic again, True Pride might end up being exactly what Manchester’s summer needs.
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Tickets for True Pride are on sale now, with discounted early bird options available for students, disabled attendees, and unemployed guests. The festival will take place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Hidden, 16–18 Mary Street, Manchester M3 1NH in the UK. The festival is presented by Of Naked Design and is strictly for ages 18 and over. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured Image: Image Courtesy of Of Naked Design.
