LIVERPOOL PRIDE: Peach  

Hold on to your guitars and get ready to tap those tambourines! Organisers of Liverpool Pride have announced an exciting line up of stars to play the Acoustic Stage at Liverpool’s first ever Pride festival, which takes place in and around Liverpool’s Dale St area on Saturday 7th August.

Cool down and chill out as this talented troupe of artists sing the day away with their understated yet enthralling performances.

Fresh from performing at Glastonbury, Cocabelle will take to the Acoustic Stage with a stunning vocal and visual set. Carina, is sure to put on a spectacle that is not to be missed, with a number of bluesy and seductive songs that wouldn’t seem out of place in a speakeasy, whilst BBC One’s Last Choir Standing stars The Sense of Sound Choir, directed by Perri Alleyne-Hughes are sure to blow you away with their spectacular, contemporary a cappella numbers. One of the highlights of the day is celebrated soul singer and Artistic Director of Sense of Sound Choir Jennifer John, who will showcase her amazing talent in a live solo set.

Cocabelle said “My band and I are excited, honoured and delighted to play the first ever Liverpool Pride festival, we can’t wait for the carnival to begin! We promise to put on a spectacle that will be exciting, dramatic and glamorous, bring it on!”

Liverpool legend Ian McNabb headlines the stage, bringing with him his passionate and expressive sounds, performing songs from his dozen albums including his latest hit ‘Great Things’ which was released in April 2010. Also headlining is one of the UK’s finest blues singer songwriters, the award winning Connie Lush. This fabulous Liverpool based singer is described by the Times as having ‘a voice like a 3am whisky with enough electricity to power the national grid. Both Ian and Connie will perform a string of their hits, offering Pride-goers an alternative, chilled atmosphere to revel in, in contrast to the Main and Cabaret stages.

Council leader Joe Anderson said “The Pride Festival is gearing up to be an amazing event which will attract people from far and wide to Liverpool, promoting tolerance and providing an economic boost to the city.”

The Pride team have put together a fantastic line up of some great local acts that are sure to entertain with their unique covers of hit songs or original self penned numbers. The line up includes;

Peach, a singer songwriter with a unique sound that can be described as an acoustic and very mellow relaxing and easy to listen to sound, Peach enjoys performing covers but likes to put her own spin on them and change the sound to make them her own. She shows this most in her take on the Kings of Leon hit 'Sex on Fire'.

Ogo, writes music relating to his experiences, be it in relationships or as an answer to peoples’ negativity. Ogo’s main influence in life however, remains his late uncle, who sadly died five years ago. Ogo will perform some of his own songs in a 20 minute set.

Will Maitland, has been on the Liverpool music scene for a number of years. Will has appeared as a member of various bands including 'The Stays', 'Hangfires' and currently the lead singer of 'Silent Fiasco'. He’ll perform some of their songs especially for Liverpool Pride.

Also appearing are the The Benjamin Stead Trio, who combine innovative folk guitar, soulful grand harp, and jazzy brush drum work with three part harmony to perfectly deliver Benjamin's distinctive songs.

Hannah Trigwell has been writing songs for a years and, after reaching the age of 19, decided it was time to record a few of her favourites. Based in Leeds, Hannah first started performing publicly busking in the city centre in 2007. She has just finished recording her debut EP, 'Hold My Heart' which is now available on iTunes and BigCartel.

Stealing Sheep, a fresh export of LIPA, will perform songs from their debut EP ‘With a wand she is a poet,’ which was release in January 2010. Stealing Sheep have had a great year thus far and have a string of tours in the UK, a mini stint in Germany and a host of summer festivals in which to perform in addition to Liverpool Pride!

Jo Bywater & The Waves are innovative and inspired singer/songwriters, with their songs being an infection of tasty riffs and blues rawness, a melting pot of styles and influence, laced with funk and injected with the rusty edge of vocal honesty.

Lonesome Georginas started playing together in January 2009. Their acoustic performances featuring guitar, bass, cajon and beautiful vocals will have you singing along as their catchy tunes stick in your mind no matter what your age or backgrounds.

Ex Frankie Goes To Hollywood front man Holly Johnson said; ‘I wish you all a Safe and Happy Liverpool Pride, Free from hostility and full of joy! I hope the wider community can see how an influx of Gay people and their friends can enrich the Culture of the Cityand boost the local economy. Let's not forget that without the Gay flair of Brian Epstein, The Beatles may never have reached a global audience and put Liverpool on the musical map forever.’

The Liverpool Pride Acoustic Stage has been organised in association with Rebel Soul, a brand new social enterprise with the primary objective of encouraging, nurturing and championing unsigned bands and artists ( www.myspace.com/rebelsouluk).

All of the acts from the Main and Acoustic stages have now burst out of the closet and are raring to go! The exciting line up for the Cabaret Stage will be announced shortly, containing some fabulously camp and tremendously talented acts. So, make sure you get yourself, your family and your friends along to and support the first ever lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Liverpool Pride Festival on Saturday 7th August. It’s gonna be a corker!