SXSW Hosts First Ever LGBTQ+ Pride Artist Showcase #OUTLOUD

Upcoming music festival SXSW is hosting Austin's first-ever LGBTQ+ Artist showcase, #OUTLOUD.

Pop heiress Betty Who (who has previously opened up about her relationships with men and women) is headlining the showcase alongside LGBTQ+ acts Madame Gandhi, COBRAH, Flavia, SWSH, La Doña, Bang Bang Romeo, pineappleCITI, CAPYAC, Ryan Cassata and Ariel View. The event will be hosted by RuPaul's Drag Race All Star Morgan McMichaels. 

"As we celebrate 50 Years of Pride this coming June, we felt it important to expand the Pride movement beyond just the month of June," Jeff Consoletti, founder and CEO of JJ|LA and producer of the showcase, told PRIDE. "As more and more artists are expressing themselves in diverse and open ways, music has often become an increasingly important vehicle to celebrating Pride. We thought that SXSW provided a perfect platform to showcase talented and visible artists to a broader audience, both with the intent of promoting these voices and empowering the Pride movement on this anniversary year."

Austin Pride is an official partner for the showcase. "We are thrilled that the first-ever #OUTLOUD Pride Artist Showcase is happening right here in Austin at the 2020 SXSW Music Festival, reflecting the inclusivity and creativity that is so important to this city and the Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation," the organization said in a statement. Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Diego are also set as Community Pride Partners.

Artie Kenney, founder of AKT Agency and co-founder of the event, added, "The success of #OUTLOUD would not be possible without the participation and support from every artist set to hit the stage. #OUTLOUD is about booking artists to showcase inclusion, representation and community.  Our priority is to shine light on all areas of the musical spectrum so that all these beautiful voices can be heard. Hundreds of performers submit to SXSW every year so it was important to us to take the time to listen and select the ones that were the most #OUTLOUD from rest."

#OUTLOUD debuts March 17 at the Mohawk Austin at 7pm CT. Music and Platinum SXSW badge holders will have priority entry.