L Fest 2016: A Real Success

by Jess Price

Bandanas, free hugs and wandering lesbians waving selfie sticks at Heather Peace… Yes, it can only be L Fest 2016. We had a blast. Our lovely, sloshy-sludgy British weather did not hinder our fun as we shuffled our gay tents and campers over to a drier field onsite at Uttoxeter Racecourse. Here, we began celebrating L Fest’s sixth year with a huge wave of music, arts and comedy shenanigans.

While Beth Prior and the loveable Eva Iglesias boomed their tracks from the Big Top, (restyled to ‘the Titty tent’ by artist BREE, patent pending) the Cunning Linguists’ panel featuring LGBT Poet Laureate Trudy Howson mesmerised with powerful words on the Arts Stage. Championing up-and-coming female LGBTQ+ poetry and literature is something L Fest is very passionate about. This year, author Sally Edwards launched her third novel and we were even treated to a reading by filmmaker and activist Helen Oakleigh. Elsewhere, we welcomed Wotever Film Festival, who shared some cracking lesbian film classics followed by discussion and Q+A sessions with the directors. Uttoxeter’s sun continued to glisten down upon us for our Del Mar Reunion Party, a chance for those who went to our annual L Fest Del Mar in May to catch up under a cheeky limbo line and of course, a sing-along with DJ Lady Heidi.

As well as our headliners, Heather Peace and Saffron from Republica, L Fest welcomed a lot of artists from overseas, including bold and bright three-piece band BREE from America and the lovely, blue-haired Aimee Francis from Australia. Saffron was an explosive presence on site during Saturday evening, even performing that classic we all know and love, Ready to Go. Heather Peace joined us on Sunday, popping over into the crowd, mid-set, to enjoy the buzzing atmosphere with her die-hard fans!

When not wearing our dancing shoes, we lost ourselves in the amazing comedy at L Fest this year. Our festival laughs truly began with entertainment by Lara King in her Opening Night Variety Extravaganza, which included McChicks from Holland and Aussies the Hussy Hicks. The Laughing Cows welcomed Jen Brister to the Main Stage, spinning us into the curtails of faecal-inspired laughter. Recounting stories of life post- and pre- the Schadenfreude of having twin babies, Jen also expressed resentment towards social media and all things selfie (insider - Jen did eventually get in our Green Room party snap.) As she performed, the arena quickly became packed with gaggles of giggling lesbians who could not get enough of the wittily observational Brister. According to one spectator, as much as a week later: ‘my face is still aching’ claimed artist Yvonne Dawson.

Elsewhere, by day, we were given a real treat by the fabulous Kenric Cabaret troupe, followed soon after by comedienne Jackie Hagan. Attracting a hefty crowd to the Green Stage Tent, everyone sat poised for her sassy, poetic discourse on important topics such as class austerity, mental health, disability and leglessness. In her poem, Tea and Coffee, Hagan humorously questions our notions of bisexuality in a binary-obsessed society. Now with a short on Channel 4 and a new book out, Hagan is certainly one to watch out for.

Now in its sixth year, Cindy Edwards claims this year’s festival was the best yet and promises big changes are on the cards for L Fest 2017. We are always striving to make L Fest an environment for all – including uniting LGBTQ+ families, which is why this year saw the launch of brand new kids’ workshops. Moreover, L Fest 2016 has once again shown the threefold world of fun, closeness and diversity that resonates year after year throughout the L Fest community. Post-festival, it is fair to say we are all experiencing an L Fest come-down. L Fest 2017 may seem a long way away – but FEAR NOT – we are already gearing up for the L Fest Awards, L Festive and expect a twist to Del Mar next year. Watch this space.

SAFFRON, Lead Singer of REPUBLICA, Announced for L Fest 2016

It's certainly a good Friday in L Fest HQ as we can now announce that our second L Fest act to be released for L Fest 2016 is Saffron, the lead singer of Republica, who will headline the main stage on Saturday July 16th.

Formed in the early 90's, Republica achieved sales of over 3 Million Albums going Top 5 in the UK, US and Europe and achieving Platinum Sales Worldwide. The track ‘Ready To Go’ went to No. 1 in 18 countries and has been featured in Hollywood movies, TV Shows and in International advertising campaigns.‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ was used as the theme to ‘Scream’, the Wes Craven Horror Movie and ‘Beauty Never Fades’ by Junkie XL ft. Saffon reached No. 1 in Poland.

Saffron has performed vocals for The Prodigy's "Fuel My Fire", worked with The Cure, appearing on the single "Just Say Yes" from their Greatest Hits album and she also collaborated with Junkie XL for his 2003 album

This is the second act L Fest has released after the popular announcement of Heather Peace who will headline the festival on Sunday July 17th.

Festival Director Cindy Edwards commented " We are delighted to add Saffron to the Line up as she is such a strong female singer songwriter and a great gay icon from the 90's. She has been so supportive of our work that I can't wait to work alongside her in promoting the festival. She has sold millions of albums worldwide so to get her at L Fest is fantastic. She will be performing with front woman of Auxesis Mel Sanson and I cannot wait for them to rock the stage on Saturday16th!

We are currently selling second tier tickets at £99, but these are expected to sell out within the next month as we saw a huge rise in sales after the Heather Peace announcement. The next tier price will be £110, and £120 on the door so the sooner you buy the more discount you get.

Stooshe To Play at L Fest 2015!

L Fest 2015 are proud to announce that STOOSHE have joined the festival’s already amazing line up! 

This trio of London lasses are a vocal sensation, breaking onto the music scene in 2012 with the emergence of their first single, ‘Love Me’. After being placed in the UK top 40 for over 16 weeks with their enormous hit ‘Black Heart,’ the song received a nomination for ‘Best British Single’ at the 2013 Brit Awards. 

The festival boasts an increasing level of excited attendees, all of which are counting down the days until L ­Day. If you’re looking for an event which hosts thriving music artists, classic cabaret, priceless comedy, fun sports, insightful workshops and of course, women, then this is without doubt the weekend for you. 

With a combination of all of this, including these feisty three, the exceptionally talented Lucy Spraggan alongside many other incredible acts and just three weeks to go till the festival, well, you’d be mad not to buy your a ticket here:  www.lfest.co.uk/tickets 

Small City Pride: Peterborough, ON

Why have I been absent from my blog for a month, you ask? Well, I have moved to CANADA!

Yep, I've only been here for two weeks and already it feels like home. Take a look:

That's right, I've got myself a little Canadian family already. (When I say Canadian, I mean international. Some of the people in that photograph are from places like South Africa, Australia, Trinidad, Norway, The Netherlands... I could go on.) 

Alas, I am only here for one year, but I can say that this crazy shit has already happened:

I am forever embarrassing myself to make people laugh, don't judge.

But why am I telling you all this, you ask?

Well, I also have myself a little GAY Canadian family forming too!

This weekend it was Peterborough Pride day in Ontario, so I thought I'd give you the low down.

Although its probably the smallest pride I've ever been to (the English prides in Manchester, London, Birmingham and Nottingham that I've been to are always on the large side), there was a great sense of community and, uh... pride.

My friends and I ended up in the parade by accident, but it ended up being the highlight of the day.

Although we have absolutely no affiliation with Peterborough Youth Services, we thought that marching amongst their people was most appropriate - I'm actually classed as an adult, but as a student I feel that 'youth' applies to me too.

So yeah, we partied down the streets and ended up in a field with a few gay stalls and a beer tent. Canadian alcohol regulations are pretty weird though, so we had to stay in the tent to drink. (This would never happen in England - pride = drinking in the streets).

For me, that was a downfall, but I still got to spend some time with some awesome people, including my main man, Dale, who I soberly danced with for the entire duration of the day.

Was it the best pride I've ever been to? No. But would I go again? For sure.

...as long as I have these people with me:

Do you have any small town pride experiences? What about tales of city prides? Tell me about them below!

Happy Pride Season!

So this weekend, I attended my first pride festival of the year.

And you know what that means...

PRIDE SEASON HAS STARTED, BABY.

Ohh yeahhh, get the beer out ladies, I know you'll all be attending.

Personally, I thought the first UK pride of the year was actually pretty great!

My weekend consisted of spending far too much money on alcoholic beverages and cigarettes, forcing my legless friend to kiss a variety of unaesthetically-pleasing people and being pleasantly surprised by the live acts that performed on the main stage.

So which festivals are you ladies going to this year? London? New York? San Francisco? Let me know!

And maybe I'll tell you which I'm going to... ;)