Manchester Pride taps Nelly Furtado as final headliner

Manchester Pride expands with new stages and big names as Nelly Furtado is announced as the final headliner.

Nelly Furtado to headline Manchester Pride festival

Global music star Nelly Furtado has been named the final headliner for Manchester Pride, joining Olly Alexander for the Sunday finale. The festival runs from August 22 to 25 and will feature two new stages at Mardi Gras and Escape to Freight Island, expanding the event footprint and lineup. In addition to Furtado, the schedule includes other notable acts and special guests across the weekend.

Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, said the additions highlight the event’s diversity and its goal to offer something for a wide audience while inviting the city to participate. He urged attendees to buy tickets and join the parade to keep Pride vibrant for years to come.

The festival is testing a familiar tension: how to balance activism with entertainment. By bringing high-profile pop stars into a Pride program, organizers tap broader audiences and economic potential, but they also risk shifting focus from advocacy to spectacle. The emphasis on participation and accessibility suggests a strategy aimed at sustaining momentum beyond bold headlines.

Manchester’s Pride is positioning itself as both cultural showcase and political beacon. If turnout remains strong and pricing remains accessible, the event could reinforce the city’s image as a progressive hub. If turnout slips or budgets tighten, critics may question priorities or the balance between art, commerce, and community needs.

Highlights

The festival will test whether scale and spectacle can sustain Pride’s core commitments.