10 iconic Pride parade performances we won’t soon forget
Pride parades are colorful celebrations of acceptance, and many bands have gotten in on the events with live concerts. Whether they’re allies or identify as LGBTQ+ themselves, the musicians help spread a message of love at these shows.
In honor of LGBTQ+ Pride month, we took a look back at some of the most iconic Pride parade performances.
1. Against Me! at Toronto WorldPride 2014
As part of the Toronto Trans March in 2014, Against Me! performed hits from their 2014 album Transgender Dysphoria Blues, including the song “FUCKMYLIFE666.” Singer Laura Jane Grace has been open about being transgender since 2012 and even wrote a memoir titled Tranny: Confessions Of Punk Rock’s Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout.
Read more: 14 of our favorite music videos that celebrate LGBTQ pride
2. Lady Gaga at New York City Pride 2013
On June 28, 2013, Lady Gaga sang the national anthem at Gay Pride in New York City. This was just days after the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was overturned in the United States, which gave married same-sex couples access to federal benefits. Before she sang, Gaga said, “I get to say I knew you when you suffered, when you felt unequal, when you felt that there was nothing to look forward to. I knew you then, and I knew you when … I really know you now.”
3. Melanie Martinez at Washington, D.C. Pride concert 2016
Martinez performed songs from her 2015 release, Cry Baby, at the 2016 Capital Pride concert in Washington, D.C. A supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, she had transgender YouTuber Lucas Mogerley star in the music video for “Pacify Her” in late 2016.
4. Kesha at San Diego Pride 2016
Pop singer Kesha has performed at multiple Pride concerts. In 2016, she headlined the San Diego Pride with an explosive show. Before she appeared on stage, she started with a short monologue: “Join me in this fight for acceptance. To accept each other and ourselves, as without acceptance, there is no love, and love is the magic.”
5. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts at Phoenix Pride 2010
Iconic rock band Joan Jett & The Blackhearts headlined the Phoenix Pride festival in 2010, performing classic songs including “Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah).” Jett has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and she participated in Miley Cyrus’ LGBTQ charity The Happy Hippie Foundation for a performance.
6. Ariana Grande at NYC Pride Parade 2015
Flanked by a crew of shirtless male backup dancers, Grande performed a late-night concert with flashing purple lights behind her and a crowd of people with light sticks in front of her. Grande has been a prominent LGBTQ+ ally; she also participated in Cyrus’ Happy Hippie Project and has been vocal about LGBTQ+ rights on social media.
7. Cindy Lauper at Toronto Pride 2010
Lauper, the singer of iconic songs “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “Time After Time” and more, is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Lauper’s song “True Colors” is considered an LGBTQ+ anthem, and Lauper created the nonprofit “True Colors Fund” to help homeless LGBTQ+ youth.
Lauper has also performed at many Pride events. Her headlining performance at Toronto Pride 2010 is a highlight, as it was the 30th anniversary for the fest, which is considered one of the largest Pride festivals in the world.
8. Nick Jonas at Pittsburgh Pride 2015
Jonas replaced singer Iggy Azalea at Pittsburgh Pride as the headliner after Azalea made racist and anti-gay remarks on her social media accounts. The switch was made only days before the event, but Jonas was a good fit for the headlining spot. Jonas has portrayed a gay boxer on the TV show Kingdom and has been an outspoken LGBTQ+ ally.
9. Tegan And Sara at WorldPride 2014
At Toronto’s WorldPride in 2014, Tegan And Sara closed off their set with their hit song “Closer.” Before the performance, singer Sara Quin said, “If I wasn’t in a monogamous gay relationship, I would have sex with all of you… Just kidding, I’m very frigid.”
10. Betty Who at 2014 Pride Festivals
In 2014, Betty Who pretty much made an entire summer tour out of their appearances at Pride festivals. There were Pride performances in Hollywood, Washington D.C., New York City, Chicago, Utah, Columbus, and more. In a 2017 interview with Gay Times, singer
Jessica Anne Newham said, “I sold out my first show in New York ever because of this underground group of gay men were like, ‘This girl is going to be a thing – come with us!’ I attribute much of my career to the LGBT community kind of taking me under their wing when I was such a young artist.”
