IGGY AZALEA, MEL C AND MANY MORE TO APPEAR IN PORTUGAL AT LGBT+ FESTIVAL PARTNERED WITH MTV!

Winner of the World Travel Awards ‘Best European Destination’ award for 4 consecutive years, this Summer, Portugal will play host to an all-inclusive celebration of the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community. The aptly named LGBT+ Festival will take place from July 1st-3rd 2022. The festival’s main site will be found at the Douro riverbank in Porto; featured in Unesco’s World Heritage list since 1996 and titled the World’s Leading City Break Destination in 2020. This event will be a new chapter in the book of music festivals, as the first openly
LGBTQIA+ inclusive festival.

The festival will feature the talents of Iggy Azalea, Melanie C, Little Boots, The Illustrious Blacks, Eliza Legzdina, Gloria Groove, Sammy Jo (Scissor Sisters), Bimini Bon Boulash, Peaches, Todrick Hall, Ludmilla, Blaya, Jodie Harsh and many more big names in the music industry, to be announced in due course. Performances by international DJs, artists, bands and dancers will be enjoyed by up to 35,000 people, across 4 stages, all over the city of Porto.

The attendees will have 72 hours of non-stop fun and celebration that will continue from the main venue to the vibrating nightlife of the city, pulsating through themed afterparties at various local clubs and boat parties that will literally dock at the venue. They will have tailored experiences, such as pool parties with astonishing views and helicopter rides over the ocean. All of this with a sense of pride and appreciation for the LGBT+ culture.

The Apollon Group have organised this festival to celebrate the music, the art and, most importantly, the people that allow the LGBT+ community to flourish. The festival environment in its entirety will be a safe space for all those who believe that identity and sexuality have multitudes of expression. To ensure attendees are able to celebrate to their fullest extent, the Apollon Group have partnered with the Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism and the municipality of Porto, as well a vast selection of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and hotels in the city of Porto, allowing for a unique and inclusive experience.

Further to the above, the Apollon Group have also partnered with MTV and Attitude Magazine to assist in spreading the word, the music and the love as far and wide as possible. Live interviews, social media promotion and TV broadcasts will reach MTV and Attitude’s immense audience.

Discussing the impact of the festival, Community Impact Manager, Festival Spokesperson and Executive Director of Variações – Portugal’s LGBTI Commerce and Tourism Association – Diogo Vieria da Silva, says the following: “This will be a festival that remembers the past, celebrates the present and prepares for the future. Bringing people from all over the world together, it will create a truly safe space for everyone who knows and understands that music is an act of liberation. Combining inclusion with fun, the festival will help the City of Porto and local organizations to raise their support for LGBT+ people and will be the epicentre of the celebration of equality values. It will give a stage to LGBT+ artists and their allies, whilst elevating national artists to new heights.” Further to the above, Festival Director, Marco Azevedo, provides his input: “Whilst this event is inspired by the LGBT+ community and represents the biggest investment in this community, anyone and everyone will be welcome. This celebration is the result of the cooperation of several identities that represent Portugal’s diversity and our commitment to respecting others. Our festival’s mission is to make everyone feel seen and heard as we sing, dance and love across this 72-hour celebration!”

“MUSIC IS MY SAFE PLACE” – LGBT+ Music Festival campaign film

Tickets and further announcements will be available and communicated on the 1st of February at lgbtmusicfestival.com, with users able to sign up for ticket and festival updates. With the first tier of tickets becoming available later in the month, users will be able to purchase a general ticket for £99, or else the VIP option for £199. For people that are flying in for the festival, the official flight carrier – TAP Air Portugal – will offer a discount code for festival ticket holders.