With ‘Pride’ events all over the country cancelled, indie artist Amy Lou is making sure celebrations still take place with a week long virtual ‘Pride’ event.
From Monday 29th June to Saturday 4th July, LGBTQ+ musicians and creatives are hosting a series of exciting events. The online content will be streamed on Instagram, so you can enjoy ‘Pride’ from the comfort of your own home.
Amy Lou is well known in the Scottish music scene for sharing catchy indie-rock tunes, with vigorous vocals and truthful lyrics, that focus on mental health and sexuality.
The Dunfermline-based singer has worked hard to still provide the LGBTQ+ community with an opportunity to celebrate their sexualities through a number of online gigs, exclusive interviews, DJ sets and podcasts.
For the first three nights, you can enjoy inspiring interviews and performances from LGBTQ+ musicians across the UK.
On Thursday, Katie Guthrie from ‘Underground Sounds’ will present a special edition of her ‘INDUSTEA’ podcast, in which she will talk to LGBTQ+ women from the music industry. Guests include Amy Lou, photographer Kayleigh Bissett, artist manager Cathie Balmer, and music business student Charmaine Hardman.
DJs from all over the world will also showcase some of their favourite upcoming music.
A limited edition merch sale will take place on Friday. All proceeds will go to LGBT Youth Scotland: a charity who work with 13-25 year olds across Scotland, educating them about LGBTI equality, wellbeing and human rights.
When I spoke to Amy Lou about their decision to donate the money to LGBT Youth Scotland, she explained: “Growing up I used to attend a youth group put on by LGBTYS, and it was a big part of me getting a lot more comfortable with my sexuality and who I am”.
“For obvious reasons this year’s physical Prides have been cancelled, but the message, spirit, and history behind Pride month should never be silenced.”
‘Big Pride Doo’ will finish in style with a powerful live performance from Amy Lou. The online gig will be streamed on ‘Fife Pride’s’ social media.
When announcing ‘Big Pride Doo’ on social media, Amy Lou stated: “For obvious reasons this year’s physical Prides have been cancelled, but the message, spirit, and history behind Pride month should never be silenced. So I’m using my platform, although it may not be the biggest, to shine a light on a whole plethora of amazing LGBTQ+ musicians, artists, creators, change makers, and believers”.
“I spend a lot of time talking about adversity. I’ve spent a long time quietly wanting other queer voices like mine to come together in harmony and be heard. I’ve spent a long time wanting something but never actually doing anything to change it… I think I’ve arrived at the answer now to what I can do”.
To get involved, click here.
Caitlin Hyem
Featured image courtesy of Amy Lou via Big Pride Doo. No changes were made to this image.
Caitlin Hyem
Hi, I’m Caitlin! I am a trainee journalist with a passion for music, writing and food. In 2017, I founded Alternative Atmosphere: a music blog showcasing in-depth reviews, exclusive interviews, and top-quality recommendations. Since then, I have also written for Uspire and Mancunian Matters. I am going to the University of Salford in September to study Multimedia Journalism.