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.

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 

UK Lesbian Festival L FEST Line Up Revealed

The UK’s only lesbian music, arts & comedy festival has raised the bar this year. They have their fantastic ethos of offering a platform for many unsigned and inspiring artists and they have 22 new acts coming this year and of course they have also added a few well known faces to the line up for 2015, slap bang in the middle of the festival season.

One of the headliners actually appeared on the L Fest stage in 2012 as one of the up and coming unsigned artists. Three years later, she has over a million social media followers and her X Factor audition where she sang her own song ‘Last Night’ has had over 32 million views. Lucy Spraggan is back at L Fest 2015!

It doesn’t stop there as there is a huge diverse line up. From O’Hooley & Tidow, recently nominated 'Best Duo' at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, to the all-girl Indie punk band The Tuts who supported Kate Nash on her UK tour. There’s the curly haired cute blonde Holloway, who you may know as half of MK1 from X factor. There’s certainly something for every music taste ranging from the acoustic sessions with Beth Prior, hip-hop with Ajah UK, Electronic sounds from Brain Rain and Afro-Latin percussion from the duet Ladies of Midnight Blue and not forgetting festival favourites Greymatter and the charity single group The L Project.

But L Fest is much more than just a music festival and has a fantastic Arts line up too. There is the DIVA Sex Academy hosted by Jane Czyzselska, London's award winning LGBT literary salon, Polari, Up Close & Personal with Indie Authors, Author Manda Scott with Woman Warriors and Planet London will be hosting a ‘LBQ Visibility in the Media’ Discussion Panel including Alicya Eyo and Kathy Caton. There’s many performance pieces from the 1940s Brighton duo All the nice girls, to Offside; a narrative of Women’s Football over the years. And of course not forgetting one woman shows Kerry Leigh wants to marry her brother and How to manifest a woman!

Laughing Cows comedy always finish the festival with a huge audience and this year will be no exception as Bethany Black, (Cucumber) and a firm lesbian funny favourite, Zoe Lyons (Mock of the Week) take to the stage.

Even if it rains you’re covered – literally as the Big Top is back! The cinema sponsored and programmed this year by Planet London, will be showing some great films from cinema hit Pride, to Crazy Bitches with the official UK launch of their DVD. Film Director Jane Clarke will be there all the way from the USA for Q&A’s after the showing. Actress and Director Alicya Eyo, (Emmerdale & Bad Girls), will also be part of a Q&A to talk about her part as director in the new short, Brace.

Worried that tiny tents and mud isn't your thing? It’s not theirs either. They have yurts for hire, toilets are clean, the showers are hot, and there’s even a place to straighten your hair and apply your lipstick so you can look hot for the whole weekend!

Not convinced yet? Check out the website here www.lfest.co.uk for the full line up and get your tickets now at £99 including three nights camping and everything above and more! You can even pay £50 now and £50 later. See you in July in a field full of lesbians!

Where and When?

July 17-20th 2015 at Uttoxeter racecourse, Staffordshire. (We didn’t know where it was either, but it’s 5 minutes from Alton Towers and there is a train station on their actual festival site so it’s only 2 hours from the big cities: London or Manchester, Birmingham or Leeds).

Lesbian Musician DJ Chillz Releases New Webisodes!

London-based lesbian DJ Chillz (who you may remember from THIS post) has released an-all new webisode documenting her life as a lesbian DJ!

The second episode in her web series entitled "Hustle of a Female DJ" is available RIGHT HERE!:

Listen to DJ Chillz' new mixtape by clicking HERE!

Editorial: The Gays Cause A Storm

by Lauren W

If you didn’t hear, last week a councillor for the UK’s UKIP political party blamed the UK’s recent stormy weather on the gays. So that’s it, you guys, we are now in control of the elements.

UKIP councilman, David Silvester, claimed that the country had gay marriage to thank for the atrocious floods plaguing the British coastline this winter, confirming that we really are Gods amongst men.  That’s right, I’m choosing to take a positive stance on this claim. Maybe we are the ones who form rainbows in the sky. It’s not the science of the climate, it’s the homosexuals.

Read the ENTIRE ARTICLE by clicking HERE and heading over to Pink Lobster Dating. Trust me, it's worth it.

London UK To Host 2014 Winter Pride!

London, UK: The first ever Winter Pride UK is coming to London’s Tobacco Dock!

Immerse yourself in the party atmosphere as LGBT London comes together for the first-ever Winter Pride UK on 8th February 2014. Created for the LGBT community, and made possible with sponsorship from Smirnoff, Winter Pride UK is an exciting new venture from the creators of the hugely successful MINT Network, which will bring together the biggest LGBT club brands and international DJs to create a party like no other. The perfect antidote to the rain and bad weather, Winter Pride UK’s ‘inside pride’ at London’s Tobacco Dock has space for over 3,000 people throughout the night.

The vast, vaulted warehouse in east London will hold a winter paradise which is #yoursforthemaking. Popstarz, One Love, Work, MINT, Exilio, Bear Necessity, East Bloc - east London's coolest late night gay club, and media sponsor, Gaydio – the LGBT radio, g3 magazine, Out In The City magazine and Gaydar are just some of the iconic names involved so far.

Each vault will hold entertainment, community or retail stalls, meaning you’ll never find yourself without something to do. We have a commitment to the long-term impact that Winter Pride UK will make on the wider community, which is why £1 from every ticket sale will go to the Terrence Higgins Trust and the proceeds of a raffle to Stonewall, while our community vault spaces are free to charitable organisations. Each year, we’ll report back how you helped the good causes you’ll be supporting by attending Winter Pride UK, so you’re actually doing good, while having the time of your life. We call that guilt-free fun. 

Kiera Ridge, Community Fundraising Manager at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “We’re thrilled that Winder Pride have chosen our charity to benefit from their inaugural event. This kind of community event is vital, not only for raising funds but also creating a great opportunity for the LGBT community to come together and celebrate. We couldn’t be more grateful for their support.”

In addition to the Winter Pride UK party, Adam and Steve, and Ellen and Eve will be regrowing the Garden of Eden The Winter Pride UK Awards, which will be hosted by celebrity, Jodie Harsh, and include a new Art Award, sponsored by Smirnoff Gold and targeted at both emerging and established artists with a cash prize of £1000 for the winner. Many famous faces appear across the awards, including Ian McKellen, Clare Balding, Gareth Thomas, Nicola Adams, Heather Peace, Angel Haze, Daniel Radcliffe and national treasure, Stephen Fry, who said, "I am thrilled to be nominated as LGBT Luminary of the Year for Winter Pride UK. Artistic and cultural events of this kind are so important for the well being of the LGBT community". 

Jamie Young, Smirnoff Brand Manager, said, “We have supported the LGBT community for many years and in many ways and are very excited to be headline sponsors of the first ever Winter Pride in Europe. We strive to establish and hold our strong relationships within the community and what better way to do this than to support such a fantastic event.” 

www.winterprideuk.com