Marcus Collins to headline Liverpool Pride

MARCUS COLLINS isset to headline Liverpool Pride 2012, to be held at the city’s iconic Pier-Head and in the Stanley Street Gay Quarter on Saturday 4 August.

Collins shot to fame when he came second in the X-Factor 2011. Since then, he has gone on to release his debut single and top 10 hit ‘Seven Nation Army’ and his self titled debut album, which also reached the top 10 in the UK album charts. At Liverpool Pride, Marcus will perform a mixture of his album tracks including his new single ‘Mercy’ and songs he performed on the X-Factor.

Marcus said: ‘I'm so excited to be involved with Liverpool Pride, it's such an amazing event and in such a vibrant city it's bound to be an incredible celebration!’ I love the gay community and I love that I can be a big part of it, even if it’s only by keeping the bars open! The awareness of the gay community that Liverpool Pride generates in the city makes it safer and more fun for everyone, and every year the event gets bigger and more fun. I'm honoured to be a part of it.’

Collins is the first artist that festival organisers have announced will perform on the ‘Nautical but Nice’ themed waterfront main stage. A boatload of other local, national and international artists is to be announced within the coming weeks.

Zoran Blackie, Chair of Liverpool Pride said: We’re delighted that Marcus will be headlining Liverpool Pride 2012. As a gay man from the city, it seemed like the perfect choice to get him on board for this year’s festival. Part of our core values are championing local acts and Marcus is certainly one of our brightest new talents. He’s doing a lot for the LGB&T community across the UK and is proving to be somewhat of a role model for younger gay people. I can’t wait to hear him perform, and for free, on our Pier-Head main stage!’

Liverpool Pride is the biggest FREE gay Pride festival outside of London, in the UK. In just two years, Liverpool Pride has established itself as one of the major highlights in the city and the wider LGBandT community’s summer calendar. Bursting onto the scene in 2010, the inaugural Liverpool Pride festival attracted over 20,000 people, which was doubled to over 44,000 in 2011.

For 2012 Festival organisers are promising the best event yet, a festival whichLiverpool’s LGBandT community is proud of, attracting people from across the country to experience the diverse culture of one of Europe’s most exciting cities. With Collins topping the bill, allowing his hometown fans to see him for free, this seems something which is ever more certain.

The festival came about following the launch of the LGBandT Network, at which the public voted for a Pride festival to engage, empower and involve the LGBandT communities within the city. This was fully endorsed by Liverpool City Council in January 2009. Following a number of high profile attacks in the city, the event was established in 2010 and now takes place each year to coincide with the anniversary of murdered gay teenager Michael Causer.

Liverpool Pride 2012 will take place at Liverpool’s iconic pier-head and throughout the Stanley Street Gay Quarter. In addition to this, there will be a weekend of cultural events taking place at some of Liverpool’s most influential arts and cultural establishments. The festival’s ‘Nautical but Nice’ theme, chosen in a ballot by 700 members of the local LGBT community, gives a nod to the city’s commemoration of the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, whilst at the same time, celebrating the city’s rich maritime history and taking advantage of the main festival site, which sits on the banks of the River Mersey.

Applications are still open for the Liverpool Pride March. Individuals, groups and organisations are invited to take part by registering online at www.liverpoolpride.co.uk/march before 31st July. 

Make sure you check out liverpoolpride.co.uk, @LiverpoolPride on Twitter and search Liverpool Pride on Facebook to have your say and for all of the latest pride news.

Article posted by Musicmafia