Slayyyter, Icona Pop, G Flip, Brooke Eden and others celebrate at Bicentennial Mall
By JAYME FOLTZ AND STEPHEN TRAGESER
Nashville Pride Festival 2024 was a dazzling kaleidoscope of queer joy. Saturday’s lineup at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park served an eclectic mix of genres and vibes, with standout performances that turned up the heat (an impressive feat given the weather) and spread love as far as the eye could see.
In the wake of the morning’s parade, the afternoon’s Nashville Drag EXTRAvaganza and sets from artists like Denitia, queer country queen Brooke Eden kicked off her set at the Equality Main Stage with a bang. She dove headfirst into “Sunroof,” a song that perfectly encapsulates her ’90s-influenced sound. Eden’s journey to self-acceptance is the backbone of her music, and it radiated as she sang “Got No Choice” and “Left You for Me.”
The pièce de résistance was a one-two punch of covers: Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” performed with a country twist, and Trisha Yearwood’s “She's in Love With the Boy” reimagined as a gay anthem. Eden closed with “Kids Like Us,” featuring a special appearance by fellow queer country ace Adam Mac — a modest reminder that country music belongs to everyone.
Next up, ’80s-schooled electropop diva Slayyyter stormed the main stage with energy that could light up Broadway. Fans were screaming before she even sang a note of set opener “Out of Time.” With her sunglasses on and sass turned up to 11, she declared, “I know it's hot outside, but I hope you came to dance.” Slayyyter, who grew up near St. Louis, draws inspiration from pop icons like Lady Gaga and Madonna, and she needed no time to turn the field in front of the stage into a nonstop party.
“I’m so grateful to perform at so many Pride events this summer,” she gushed after “I Love Hollywood!” which opens her recent LP Starfucker. “I feel like my music is queer and lives in queer spaces.” She finished with “Daddy AF,” which soundtracks the opening scene in horror-comedy Bodies Bodies Bodies, and the crowd screamed every word.
Closing out the night was Tinashe, who brought her A game to a set that practically dared the crowd to match her freak. She is the very model of a modern multihyphenate, who sings, dances, produces tracks and directs her performances, ensuring every detail is — to quote her early hit and club staple — “2 On.” Launching her set with “X,” Tinashe had the entire festival bouncing to a blend of old hits and newer tunes, in which woozy synths and seductive vocals become genre-busting rhythmic pop that is both innovative and captivating.
Her killer dance moves were on full display, and her recent viral hit “Nasty” kept the energy levels maxed out. As if things couldn’t get any more electrifying, she brought out performers from renowned ballroom crew Iconic House of Ebony for a surprise throw-down.
“You have no idea how amazing it is to see all of your beautiful faces in the crowd singing all the words,” Tinashe said. “It’s been such a crazy ride, especially these past few months.”
Closing out the night was Tinashe, who brought her A game to a set that practically dared the crowd to match her freak. She is the very model of a modern multihyphenate, who sings, dances, produces tracks and directs her performances, ensuring every detail is — to quote her early hit and club staple — “2 On.” Launching her set with “X,” Tinashe had the entire festival bouncing to a blend of old hits and newer tunes, in which woozy synths and seductive vocals become genre-busting rhythmic pop that is both innovative and captivating.
Her killer dance moves were on full display, and her recent viral hit “Nasty” kept the energy levels maxed out. As if things couldn’t get any more electrifying, she brought out performers from renowned ballroom crew Iconic House of Ebony for a surprise throw-down.
“You have no idea how amazing it is to see all of your beautiful faces in the crowd singing all the words,” Tinashe said. “It’s been such a crazy ride, especially these past few months.”
Down by the park’s carillon at the Rainbow Stage, instrumental trio Together Breakfast blasted their distinctive blend of queer math rock, focusing on gnarly and groovy instrumental pieces from their forthcoming Lunch With Your Friends, Dinner With Your Ancestors. Guitarist Marshall Biever took a moment to implore folks to practice and stand up for trans inclusivity. Next, pro baseball player turned country singer Bryan Ruby made his Nashville Pride debut. His band added rock muscle to “The Standouts,” Ruby’s 2023 duet with Ty Herndon about people who aren’t willing to tolerate discrimination, whether it’s aimed at them or not.
Down by the park’s carillon at the Rainbow Stage, instrumental trio Together Breakfast blasted their distinctive blend of queer math rock, focusing on gnarly and groovy instrumental pieces from their forthcoming Lunch With Your Friends, Dinner With Your Ancestors. Guitarist Marshall Biever took a moment to implore folks to practice and stand up for trans inclusivity. Next, pro baseball player turned country singer Bryan Ruby made his Nashville Pride debut. His band added rock muscle to “The Standouts,” Ruby’s 2023 duet with Ty Herndon about people who aren’t willing to tolerate discrimination, whether it’s aimed at them or not.
Though the rain was short-lived, lightning in the area meant a 45-minute weather delay before Icona Pop made their entrance. Noting that they hadn’t played Nashville in 10 years, the Swedish duo gave the subs a workout with their bass-heavy dance pop, turning the field into a club with a collection of fan-favorite bangers, remixes and their unbeatable hit “I Love It.”
It would be silly to expect anything other than a fabulous festival-closing set from Tony- and Emmy-winning icon of stage, screen and fashion Billy Porter, and he delivered in spite of the Crock-Pot-like conditions. He performed pieces from his heartfelt, disco-kissed recent LP The Black Mona Lisa and the smash Broadway hit Kinky Boots with four dancers, whose moves he matched for much of the show.
He also ceded some of his time to local talent. A slew of Nashville drag stars took the spotlight, girl-group phenoms The Shindellas sang their inclusive bop “Reconsider,” and the great Wendy Moten — a friend of Porter’s for more than three decades — outdid herself on “You’re All I Need to Get By” and “Ain’t No Way.” Porter also called state Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) to the stage, where he spoke briefly and passionately, calling out the state legislature’s agenda of restricting marginalized people’s rights.
Walking around Bicentennial Mall with the sun glaring down, it feels reasonable to suggest moving Pride indoors somewhere. But celebrating in full view of the state Capitol — where so many decisions are being made lately that hurt LGBTQ communities across Tennessee for little discernible reason beyond riling up the base — is a form of protest we can’t do without.
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