Conchita Wurst and Neon Jungle for Pride

Conchita Wurst and Neon Jungle set to join All Saints, Foxes, Anastacia over the Big Weekend

With performances from Lucy Spraggan, Marcus collins, Rowetta, MDNGHT, Kidnap Kid, TCTS, Twisted Tubes, Kelli-Leigh, Jodie Harsh, Sian Bennett, Gaydio DJs and Stewart Lewis during Manchester Pride 2014

A host of big name acts, including Eurovision phenomenon Conchita Wurst, pop band Neon Jungle and a host of additional performers are set to join All Saints, Foxes and Anastacia, and perform at the festival's Big Weekend during Manchester Pride 2014.

After winning the 2014 Eurovision Song Content in May with 'Rise Like A Phoenix', Conchita Wurst will perform in Manchester for the first time, presented in partnership with G-A-Y. The Austrian singer is set to draw a massive crowd as a headliner over the Big Weekend.

Manchester Pride also announced today that British four-piece girl group Neon Jungle and former X Factor contestants Marcus Collins, Lucy Spraggan and Rowetta, will all take to the stage over the Bank Holiday festival.

Reigning Queen supreme Jodie Harsh will set the Gaydio Dance Arena alight with her striking looks and big party tunes including international hit 'The Night' featuring Mel C.

Manchester quartet MDNGHT, who are known for their disco-inspired house track 'Into The Night', will perform to a home crowd hot off the heels of a set at Kendal Calling at the beginning of August.

Twisted Tubes is a new Manchester-based group. with an unusual instrumental set up of saxaphones, trumpets, trombone, sousaphone and percussion. The band of Royal Northern College of Music graduates will perform a variety of original arrangements,  pop covers and jazz standards. 

British singer/songwriter Kelli-Leigh is the voice behind two Number 1 hits this year - Second City 'I Wanna Feel' & Duke Dumont ft Jax Jones 'I Got U' and she has performed and worked alongside some of the world's biggest acts including artists Adele and Rita Ora.

Completing the line up is openly gay US singer/songwriter Stewart Lewis, who is much-loved for his soulful folk and pop rock style and has opened for the likes of Sheryl Crow. Stewart’s tracks have featured on US TV shows such as Dawson's Creek and Dante’s Cove, along with films such as Shelter.

Performing in the Gaydio Dance Arena are DJs including Kidnap Kid, TCTS, Krystal Klear, Junior J, Jamie Bull, Sarah Louise (Hed Kandi), Seamus Haji, Drop the Mustard (Ed Norris and Oli Hackett), Meat Free, Sian Bennett and Gaydio DJs. The winner of the Manchester Pride DJ competition, chosen by Seamus Haji, will also play.

Mark Fletcher, Chief Executive for Manchester Pride, comments: "We're delighted to announce some great new artists, joining the already confirmed stellar line up for the 2014 Big Weekend. We’re especially excited Conchita Wurst will be joining us following her stand out performance at Eurovision.

We've selected the artists to cater for all tastes and interests, from Manchester talent to global stars. With  this year's Pride Fringe seeing a number of high profile events, the return of the Gaydio Dance Arena, and even more surprises in store, there’s a lot to love at Manchester Pride this year."

Big Weekend tickets are currently priced at £22 for a weekend ticket, day tickets are also on sale and start at £12.50.  Child's Day & Weekend tickets are now on sale too.  A Big Weekend ticket provides guests with access to the event site, including the Main Arena, Sackville Gardens, the Gaydio Dance Arena and Expo plus it helps Manchester Pride raise money for LGBT and HIV charities and organisations in Greater Manchester. See here for more information manchesterpride.com/tickets 

There's more to Manchester Pride than the Big Weekend and, since 2003, the festival has grown to include Pride Fringe which encompasses a series of art, culture, heritage, debate, sport, music and film events celebrating the great diversity of the LGBT community.  The Manchester Pride Festival 2104 will kick off on 01 August with Pride Fringe.

You can follow the charity on Twitter @manchesterpride.

Published: 17-Jul-2014: (2531)