Back in 2017, the inaugural Outloud music festival came roaring out of the gate with a lineup of powerhouse LGBTQ artists and allies topped by New Orleans bounce queen Big Freedia. In spite of the pandemic, the Outloud crew managed to put on a spectacular drive-in show (which also happened to feature Big Freedia) in the fall. Now, word has come that Outloud is set to make its glorious return in June.
Socially distanced audiences at a pandemic-adjusted capacity can head down to the Main Event Parking Lot on James Robertson Parkway on Friday and Saturday, June 4-5; there’s also a VIP pre-party on June 3 at The Dive Motel, just in time for swimming season.
At the top of Friday’s lineup is the great pop-rocker Michelle Zauner, aka Japanese Breakfast; that day, she’ll also be celebrating the release of her new LP Jubilee. Local support includes conquering heroes Soccer Mommy and glam revival aces The Blam Blams, plus divine drag divas Cya Inhale and Vidalia Anne Gentry. Saturday, actor-singer-rapper Todrick Hall and grooving soulful outfit Tank and the Bangas top the bill, with an appearance from RuPaul’s Drag Race lip-sync legend Coco Montrese, local support from pop champ Freak Daddy and more.
Tickets are on sale in tiers with prices reflecting how close the seating-and-dancing areas are to the stage, starting at $44 per night. It’s recommended you make sure to buy a ticket on the same tier as the friends you want to go with — and that you get tickets soon, as attendance is limited to 30 percent of the venue’s capacity. Check out the Outloud Festival site for all the details on safety and more.
