In honor of Pride and Black Music Month, Universal Music Group partnered with GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) to host a Loud & Proud artist showcase this June.
Walking into the space, I had no idea what to expect. I was immediately greeted by an array of music videos from queer artists playing on the screen. From Troye Sivan, Clairo, and Beabadoobee, to Doechii, Lady Gaga, and Kim Petras & Sam Smith, they played it all.
Indie folk darling and one of my current favorite artists, Allison Ponthier started off the night of performances. On the stage in a fitted striped pantsuit and a sparkly mesh top over a black bralette, she dazzled the crowd by highlighting the lyricism and sweet vocals that are ever-so-present in her music. With just a guitarist accompanying her, she delivered a stellar performance on stage. She proudly sang about found queerness, hating driving, and Los Angeles’ own Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
While talking with GLAAD’s Anthony Ramos after her set, she mentioned tourmate Hayley Kiyoko as one of her gay icons. Kiyoko, hailed “Lesbian Jesus” by the queer community, has been one of the biggest faces of queer musicians in recent years, and it is almost certain that Ponthier will follow in her footsteps.
Allison was followed by rapper Kidd Ken, the moniker of 20-year-old Dontrell Smith. His music was fairly new to me, as I had only heard one of his songs before. However, the energy of his performance was contagious. He was having the time of his life rapping and dancing in an eye-catching gold corset top. The mainstream rap scene is often filled with cishet and hypermasculine artists, so it is very refreshing to see someone so young and talented transforming those boundaries. And of course, he mentioned being a huge RuPaul’s Drag Race fan. As he should!
Finishing off the night of performances was Australian-native G Flip. Performing a mix of their older and newer songs, they blew everyone away with their powerful vocals. On top of playing drums, synth, and singing at the same time? Truly a triple threat.
Overall, Loud & Proud was a great opportunity to highlight queer artists during Pride Month, and an important reminder that queer artists should be shown love all year round as we head into July.
nina
Born and raised in Los Angeles and now studying music industry at Berklee College of Music in Boston, you can find her going to a concert, crocheting, playing guitar, or reading a book (that is probably about music).
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