By Focus Staff
The 31st Annual Nashville Pride Festival presented by Bridgestone welcomes TLC, Neon Trees, Madame Gandhi, Cakes Da Killa, Brandon Stansell, Brody Ray and more to the Equality Stage presented by Nissan.
Nashville’s own LGBT+ artists will be well represented on the festival’s multiple stages, with performances from Taco Mouth, The Blam Blams, Myylo, Spazz Cardigan, Mikala Jones, Jess Coppens, Adam Mac, Shelly Fairchild, Houston Kendrick, Sisters Mann, DJ Remedy, DJ Chris Spear, DJ Aazera and more.
TLC
One of the most successful contemporary female R&B acts in history, TLC is most famous for their no-nonsense, sexually charged urban R&B. The Atlanta, Ga., trio rose to prominence in the early ’90s on the strength of their flamboyant fashion sense and infectious R&B vocal melodies, appealing equally to hip hop and pop audiences alike.
Immortal anthems such as “Waterfalls,” “Creep,” “No Scrubs” and “Unpretty” helped cultivate sales of more than 70 million records worldwide. TLC’s latest self-titled album, released in 2017, features the instant classics “Haters” and “Way Back.”
Neon Trees
Hailed by Rolling Stone as “a New Wave pop powerhouse,” Neon Trees — lead by out singer Tyler Glenn — first united in 2006 and instantly attracted acclaim and attention for their kaleidoscopic sound and affirmative vision, showcased on 2010’s debut album, Habits. The album ascended to No. 1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart following the breakthrough success of its lead single, “Animal.”
In 2011, the band climbed the Billboard charts again with the single “Everybody Talks” peaking at No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Madame Gandhi
Kiran Gandhi, known by her stage name Madame Gandhi, is an electronic music artist and activist based in Los Angeles.
Having gained recognition as the former drummer for M.I.A. and Kehlani and as the iconic free-bleeding runner at the 2015 London Marathon, Madame Gandhi now writes music that elevates and celebrates the female voice.
Cakes Da Killa
Cakes Da Killa is a Brooklyn-based rapper hailing from New Jersey.
His signature 90s flow and cutthroat wordplay has garnered praise from both radio and critics. His sound is a mixture of rapid-fire lyricism marinated withbooming club beats. With a few mixtapes under his belt and a killer live show, Cakes has quickly become a must-see act on festival lineups around the world.
Brandon Stansell
Brandon Stansell was born with country music in his veins. Even though he grew up in and around Nashville, it wasn’t until he moved to L.A. that hestarted developing hisown brand of “California Country.” Tapping his Tennessee roots with the fresh air sound of his West Coast home, Stansell released his first full-length album, “Slow Down,” in October 2017.
His sound is a bold new voice in the genre — a true singer-songwriter with something to say, and a voice to remember.
Brody Ray
“I’m so excited to be performing at Nashville Pride for the first time ever. The band and I are so excited and have been working hard to put on an amazing show for everyone. Can’t wait to see y’all at Pride!”
Brody is widely recognized as a contestant on American Idol and when he auditioned for America’s Got Talent, earning him chance to sing in front of the Celebrity judges Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell. Cowell said he “Was a force to be reckoned with.”
— Brody Ray
ABOUT NASHVILLE PRIDE
When: Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23
Where: Public Square Park in Downtown Nashville
The Pride Parade: 10 a.m. Saturday, June 22 on Broadway
Tickets: Festival information is available through the Nashville Pride app, available for iOS and Android
Online: NashvillePride.org
