Newcastle Pride got off to a fine and totally fierce start on Friday night as headliner Todrick Hall ensured every nail, hair, hip and heel at the Town Moor was moving to the sound of his superb set.
A curtain raiser to a weekend full of festivities as Newcastle has the honour of hosting UK Pride, Friday night’s Launch Party was the perfect introduction to three days of entertainment.
Mother Nature might have been a cruel mistress by dishing out a very unwelcome downpour just as superstar DJ Jodie Harsh was getting into her stride, but as soon as she dropped Beyonce - Break My Soul there could have been a tornado and it wouldn’t have spoilt the party.
READ MORE: Newcastle Pride main stage acts and stage times for Saturday and Sunday
Turning back the clock a decade, Katy B pulled out every anthem in her locker, with Turn the Music Louder and Crying for No Reason going down a street, before Katy on a Mission threatened to see the audience peak too early.
Thankfully they conserved plenty of energy for the evening’s main act and in turn, Todrick fired on all cylinders, with a set that commanded plenty of Attention from the get-go.
While he’s given many of us a getting ready and pre-drink soundtrack over the last few years, it’s not until you see Todrick perform his growing back catalogue of sass-soaked anthems that you appreciate just how much they pop. And, aside from tracks that promoted twerking that would give Miley Cyrus’ infamous VMA performance a run for its money, the set, which was the perfect showcase for Todrick's often overlooked vocals, had a few poignant moments that were very befitting of the occasion, as well as some fine dancing from pregnant dancer Liv, who came to slay with her baby bump.
After costume changes that went up. snitch each time, the thrilling conclusion to the night was the song that has become not just an LGBTQA anthem, but also a worldwide phenomenon - Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels and there was many a fan fired open and pose struck as Todrick rounded things off in epic style.
While the weather might have taken a down turn from the sweltering temperatures we enjoyed earlier in the week, Todrick ensured Pride weekend got off to a red hot start.
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