"Defiantly Different" is the theme for NYC Pride 2018, moving its Pride Island festivities on June 23 and 24 to the beautiful Pier 97 in the Hudson River Greenway. GRAMMY nominated singer/songwriter Tove Lo is headlining June 23 while the June 24 closing day welcomes Kylie Minogue as headliner. Minogue's GRAMMY win for Best Dance Recording at the 46th GRAMMY Awards was for "Come Into My World" and her anticipated April album Golden dropped its lead single "Dancing" in Feb.
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Tove Lo is a growing sensation, nominated along with mentor Max Martin in the category Best Song Written For Visual Media at the 58th GRAMMY Awards as one of the co-writers of the song "Love Me Like You Do" from the soundtrack for Fifty Shades Of Grey, performed by Ellie Goulding. Her 2017 album Blue Lips was praised by critics as another captivating step in her evolving lyrical and vocal creativity. Appearing with her on June 23 are new sensation Lizzo, whose self-empowerment message is empowering others to see the world in a better way, and New Orleans' Big Freedia "Queen of Bounce," with DJ Dawson spinning house behind her. Winner of the ninth season in "Ru Paul's Drag Race," Sasha Velour is also sure to delight. Simon Dunmore will perform a special set to prove his DJ heart keeps a strong beat, as is only appropriate for a label founder and recording industry executive.
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Closing Pride Island's celebration on June 24, Kylie Minogue has triple-DJ power with DJ Grind, DJ Corey Craig, and Ralphi Rosario, whose Rosabel Club Mix remix of "Only Girl (In The World)" was nominated for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical at the 54th GRAMMY Awards. The night will close with its traditional fireworks.
Organizers are preparing for next year's momentous recognition of 50 years since the Stonewall riots. "As we prepare to welcome a record number of attendees for Stonewall 50 / WorldPride 2019 NYC," said NYC Pride Managing Director Chris Frederick, "our move to our new home on Pier 97 is just one of several new venues, new events, and new experiences we will launch in 2018 to prepare for next year's massive crowd."
