UTAH PR!DE 2023 Headliner Entertainment

The stages at Utah Pride 2023 will be packed full of queer entertainment from Thursday night’s Utah Pride LIVE! until the Festival closes Sunday night. Here are some of the already-announced acts from across the globe that will get your booties moving.

THURSDAY NIGHT’S UTAH PRIDE LIVE!

MONÉT X CHANGE

Born and bred in New York City, Monét X Change is an entertainment spitfire and the first double-crown winner from RuPaul’s Drag Race, having earned the title Miss Congeniality on Season 10 and becoming the first queen of color inducted into the Hall of Fame after winning All-Stars 4. Known for delivering energetic and show-stopping performances, Monet’s showmanship is a reflection of a tireless work ethic to cultivate and perfect her immaculate lip-syncing skills, comedic chops, and (mostly) pitch-perfect live singing skills.

ULTRA NATÉ

Baltimore singer/songwriter/ DJ/producer and music legend Ultra Naté has long been adored by electronic, dance and pop fans since the early 90’s. Ultra is celebrating her 30th plus year in the game having debuted on the scene in 1989 with the with the early underground favorite, It’s Over Now and her revered 1990 album, “Blue Notes In the Basement,” which spawned the hits Rejoicing, Deeper Love, Scandal and Is It Love?. She is honored to be considered an icon of the Dance and LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

DANA GOLDBERG

Veteran host and comedian Dana Goldberg is a force of nature on stage. Her quick wit and playful stage presence have her earning loyal fans across the country and abroad. Goldberg has raised over 30 million dollars for non-profits around the country in the fight for marriage equality, LGBT rights, women’s health, and HIV and AIDS education and prevention.

BRIAN JUSTIN CRUM

BJC is a singer-songwriter currently creating in Los Angeles. He is known for his soaring vocals and emotional storytelling. His first single “Show Me Love” reached #2 on the Billboard Dance charts. He became a viral sensation with his cover of Radiohead’s “CREEP” on America’s Got Talent with over 100 Million views online He got his start on Broadway at just 17 years old. From “Wicked” and Pulitzer Prize winning “Next to Normal” to QUEENS rock theatrical “We Will Rock You.” BJC has sold out concerts all over the world. His first single “Other Side” was released during Pride last year.

GSP

DJ GSP, aka Georgios Spiliopoulos, is a native of Athens, Greece, who has been a professional DJ for more than 15 years. He is known worldwide for his mostly Tech and Progressive House with a touch of Tribal Percussions and lots of vocals. He is also a music producer, event organizer and promoter, graphic designer, and record label owner. He has lived in London, Rio De Janeiro, Los Angeles, and now makes his home in Salt Lake City.

FRIDAY OPENING CONCERT

ICONA POP

Icona Pop is a Swedish pop duo consisting of Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo. They rose to international fame with their hit single “I Love It” in 2012, which became a global chart-topper and an instant club classic. Known for their catchy electro-pop sound and energetic live performances, Icona Pop has become a popular favorite among the LGBT community, thanks in part to their upbeat, empowering anthems and their vocal support for LGBT rights. They have performed at numerous Pride events around the world, including Stockholm Pride and San Francisco Pride, and have frequently collaborated with openly gay artists such as Charli XCX and Zara Larsson. In addition to their music, Icona Pop has also been involved in various LGBT activism campaigns, such as the “Love Is Love” campaign in support of same-sex marriage.

TRIXIE MATTEL

Trixie Mattel, a popular drag queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race, is known for their folk music and drag performances. In 2015, they ranked sixth in season seven, but in 2018 won Season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Their debut album “Two Birds” (2017), showcased their unique blend of country-folk and drag, followed by “One Stone” and “Barbara.” Mattel also hosts TV shows such as “The Trixie & Katya Show” and “Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts.”

ANABEL ENGLUND

Anabel Englund is a rising star in electronic music, collaborating with industry heavyweights like MK, Hot Natured, and Jamie Jones. She’s performed at Coachella, Electric Daisy Carnival, and Ultra Music Festival, and is a staunch advocate for LGBTQ rights, using her platform to raise awareness and promote equality. With a soulful sound and infectious energy, Englund is a favorite among dance music fans, inspiring audiences and making the world a better place.

SATURDAY

DRAMA (DJ SET)

DRAMA is the multicultural collaboration between producer Na’el Shehade’s chic Chicago house-infused production style, and vocalist Via Rosa whose soulful delivery is inspired by the improvisational nature of jazz and playful patterns of hiphop and bossa nova. The duo plays to the complementary dynamics of their unlikely pairing by blurring the lines between R&B and dancepop, heartbreak, and bliss.

NINA FLOWERS

Jorge Flores, aka NINA FLOWERS, was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.He began his career in music in 1989, where he became a resident DJ at one of the most prestigious clubs in the Caribbean. He brings “The lights, the music, the stage, and the crowd – putting it all together – magic in the making”

CRYSTAL WATERS

American singer-songwriter and producer Crystal Waters is known as the Queen of House Music with a powerful voice and energetic dance tracks. She is perhaps best known for her hit song “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless),” released in 1991 and quickly became a dance floor anthem. In addition to her success in the music industry, Waters has also been recognized for her activism and advocacy work, including her outspoken support for LGBT rights. In 2014, she performed at the 25th Anniversary of the GLAAD Media Awards, and has spoken publicly about the importance of representation and visibility for the LGBT community in the entertainment industry.

RÊVE

Canadian singer-songwriter Briannah Donolo, professionally known as Rêve, is a self-proclaimed “messy singer of songs” and Pisces sun. Her social media presence reflects her passion for music and storytelling. Her latest single, “Whitney,” pays tribute to her childhood inspirations and the determination to pursue her dreams. The song, written six years ago in her bedroom, is a relatable anthem for aspiring artists with lofty goals and “no Plan-B.”

BLACK BELT EAGLE SCOUT

Katherine Paul, better known as Black Belt Eagle Scout, draws on her roots in her family’s Skagit Valley Singers drum group, where she first learned to drum. Her third album, “The Land, the Water, the Sky,” was released in January and showcases her dynamic percussion skills, creating a frictionless momentum throughout the intimate and deeply personal project. With her unique blend of traditional indigenous sounds and contemporary indie rock, Katherine Paul continues to establish herself as an important and inspiring voice in the music industry.

RUBIO

Fran Straube is a multi-talented artist who excels in songwriting, singing, playing multiple instruments, producing, modeling, and acting. While playing with bands like Picnic Kibun and Fármacos, their stardom came with the alt-rock group Miss Garrison. The success of the band sparked Straube’s interest in electronic music, and they launched their solo project Rubio. The project, influenced by mysticism, folk instruments, and digital percussion techniques, has become one of the most exciting and innovative musical projects in Chile. Rubio has taken their sound to international stages, including performances at SXSW, Primavera Sound, and Festival NRMAL in Mexico.

SUNDAY

VINCINT

Vincint is an openly gay singer-songwriter from Philadelphia who gained widespread recognition for his powerful vocals on Fox’s The Four: Battle for Stardom. He has since released a series of successful singles, including “Marrow” and “Please Don’t Fall in Love.”

He was nominated by GLAAD Media Awards as Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist for his debut album, “There Will Be Tears.” Vincint’s mission, in his own words, is “to make you cry and make you dance.”

JORDY

Openly gay singer-songwriter Jordy has been releasing music since 2017, steadily building a repertoire of hooky, sweet-sounding pop songs. His debut album, Mind Games, dropped in 2021, and he’s collaborated with fellow rising indie-pop acts like Joy Oladokun, Emma Løv, and Loote. He was nominated for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist at the GLAAD Media Awards in 2021. He just released his second album, titled “Boy,” which includes a re-imagined song from 2000 that he calls, “The Story of a Boy.”

DEBORAH COX

Deborah Cox is a Canadian-born singer-songwriter and actress who achieved worldwide success with her powerful vocals and impressive range. She rose to fame with her hit single “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here,” which spent a record-breaking 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Cox has collaborated with notable artists such as Whitney Houston and Celine Dion, and received critical acclaim for her Broadway performances in shows like “Aida” and “Jekyll & Hyde.” She has played many pride festivals, including two World Prides. Last year she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

JODIE HARSH

Jodie Harsh is a London-based DJ, music producer, promoter, and drag queen. She played herself in “Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie,” and was declared “Britain’s Best-Known Drag Queen” by Out Magazine. In 2021, she signed to Warner Records and has since released four singles, including “Hectic” earlier this year.

CUB SPORT

Cub Sport is an Australian pop group that has released five studio albums, This Is Our Vice (2016), Bats (2017), Cub Sport (2019), Like Nirvana (2020) and earlier this year, Jesus at the Gay Bar (2023).

Lead vocalist Tim Nelson and vocalist and keyboardist Sam “Bolan” Netterfield married in 2018. Their songs continually share insight into gender and sexuality, and they campaigned for marriage quality well before it became legal in Australia. They played this year’s World Pride, which was in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time.

MARRLO SUZZANNE & THE GALAXY BAND

Marrrlo Suzzanne and the Galaxxy Band is a group of powerful live vocalist drag queens and their kick-ass band. They perform rock anthems from various decades at their shows. Their theatrical shows include elaborate costumes, exaggerated makeup, and even bigger hair! They are a blend of current drag culture and classic rock music. Their live music, choreography, and stunning vocals will get you off your feet.

More entertainment will be announced as the event gets closer. Those looking to be on stage at the event can apply at utahpride.org/applications/entertainers

Applications close on April 29th and will be reviewed on a first-come first-served basis. Acceptance status notifications will be sent weekly.

Utah Pride tickets are on sale now at utahpride.org