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Manchester Pride react to criticism over ticket costs and hint at international renowned artist performing live

  • ‘Alternative’ LGBTI free festival is announced for June
  • Critics of Pride say ticket prices are too high
  • But organisers say tickets are good value for money

The adverse reaction and Twitter storm over the cost for Manchester Pride Weekend tickets has been misconstrued, says a Manchester Pride spokeswoman.

The rowis over the £70 price tag – twice the price of the previous year – for ‘Manchester Pride Live’, a weekend music festival at the Mayfield Depot site, near Piccadilly Station.

“I’d like to stress that last year’s The Big Weekend ticket was £34.50 but it is important to note that this (new price) is for a totally different event,” Rebecca Hanberry, a spokeswoman for Pride said.

“A Rainbow Pass provides unlimited weekend access to The Gay Village gathering and lets you choose which days you would like to attend Manchester Pride Live.”

Mark Fletcher, chief executive for Manchester Pride, said: “It’s always a talking point when we introduce change to our events and this year we have essentially added a whole new event to our programme in direct response to the requests of our ticket buyers.

“We’ve got some very special shows planned at Manchester Pride Live and I’d encourage people to grab our early release tickets quickly as we anticipate the event will sell out.”

Pride 2018
Manchester’s gay village on Canal Street

The new location is Mayfield Depot, close to Piccadilly Station, a 24-acre regeneration site that is be turned into a new residential area in the future.

Partygoers should expect about 30 artists across two stages in and around the Mayfield Depot. Organisers say that world class acts will perform each day in a ticket-only party, although they are keeping tight lipped as to the final line up.

The weekend will also incorporate a music stage in Sackville Gardens, which will host a candlelit vigil to remember those lost to HIV, those living with it and the LGBTI people suffering persecution around the world.

Critics of the cost have recently announced an alternative LGBTI festival in June. Organisers of Manchester’s BE PROUD Weekend say their event is not competing with Pride. It will, however, give everyone the chance to celebrate.

The two-day event takes place on 29-30 June 2019, while the Pride festival will take place on Saturday August 24 and Sunday August 25.

Kelly Charlton, communications manager of  the BE PROUD event, said: “We had been planning something for quite some time as we felt the Pride meaning and reason for Pride was getting diluted.”

This new event has already attracted the attention of many in the LGBTI community. It says it aims to restore the original spirit of Pride.