WORDS JANET HARDING / IMAGES WARREN MILLAR
Something different tonight, it’s a new event for Warrington, Cheshire. As part of the Warrington Pride Festivities it’s been a day of inclusivity and celebration of all things LGBT; throughout the day there have been processions, exhibitions, performance art and fashion shows, culminating in the grand finale tonight that is ‘Glitter’, a ticketed event but all completely free due to generous donations. This includes a series of high energy DJ sets, headlined by Fleur East, an aerial show and DJ set from Crystal and a set from local DJ, MX World. This is the first staging of this particular event, but after the full ticket allocation selling out it’s looking set to be the first of many.
Right in the heart of Warrington’s town centre in Cheshire, it’s within the Golden Square Shopping Centre, in the outdoor Old Market Square area. All the bars, cafes and eateries around the Square are open for the duration, serving drinks and food, with full use of facilities, but there are also 2 pop up bars close to the stage area; all under a roof, so shelter from rain or shade from sun is provided, but you still get that outdoor festival feel. Disability access is well catered for and it’s a festival-worthy stage with huge screen. It’s a brilliant venue and events here have a brilliant vibe.
Soaking up the atmosphere –
Upon arrival we’re instantly hit with the vibrancy, the energy; it’s completely uplifting. We have glorious sunshine and with the Pride events beginning at midday it’s already buzzing with people and a crowd is already assembled. “Glitter” doors opened at six, and there’s a lovely feel in the evening sunshine. The roof of the venue has been draped with rainbow banners and all the surrounding retailers have banners, flags or bunting in the windows. Colourful, winged stilt performers wander around the Square while ‘mirror men’ interact with the crowd, dancing and posing for photos. The colour and wealth of costumes sported by revellers is impressive. People have gone all out and it really adds to the feel.
A fast paced and uplifting playlist has people dancing: very relaxed, very welcoming and a complete delight for the senses. It’s lovely to see kids of all ages happily absorbing all that’s going on. It honestly feels like a fiesta, party or carnival…which I guess it is. Absolutely brilliant atmosphere, a joy to be within, this vibe in itself would make a great event…but with what’s to come later there’s that air of excitement, of anticipation for some banging DJ sets and lots of celebrations!
Starting off the proceedings tonight is Warrington based MX World. People are so ready for this now and, as the tunes start getting spun, dancing en masse begins. Real feel good tracks in a very varied set are played. It’s a flurry of flashing flower head bands, pride flags, face paint and so much glitter…and this feels even more like a party now. Then in front of the stage a circle forms and people take turns dancing ‘in the round’. We have back flips (people are actually doing acrobatics here!), break dancing, toddlers running in and out and even contortionists…each performer getting rousing applause as the encircled crowd dance along. A brilliant atmosphere and quite something to see, really bringing the celebrations up!
As dramatic music filters throughout our venue an iconic, black,rubber clad figure appears on stage and after the theatrical shedding of a cloak the aerial display begins. Climbing a rope, high above our stage, up into the gods, Crystal swings, dangles upside down, plummets at speed then lands as sparks fly and pyrotechnics go off along the stage. It can only be described as breath taking (and at moments heart stopping) and all, so far as I can tell, without a safety harness. Just wow! The reaction from the crowd is deafening.
After some more tunes provided by MX World, Crystal returns to our stage, looking amazing in a tight pink rubber dress and blonde wig…then the magical club feels kick in! One utterly banging, dance inducing, varied set indeed! Not one of us is still; it’s crammed under the roofed area now, transformed into one giant dance floor. It’s positively alive under here…whilst around the edges it’s like scenes from Fame or similar – people are pirouetting, dancing on tables, twirling and twerking around lamp posts, it’s quite spectacular – the Citroen Van bar is rocking from the sheer dance moves of its bar staff on board! It’s such a good energy throughout the venue.
As the set progresses we get some ‘old skool’ anthems and it really goes off…it’s feeling like a rave now, honestly if only this energy and these feels could be bottled. What a mind blowingly epic set!
Fleur East – headline
Safe to say, we are all ready and suitably warmed up for our headline DJ set now. As Fleur arrives on stage, looking stunning, dressed in double denim (and totally rocking it, I might add) with tassels, the crowd erupts. It’s straight onto the decks and the rave (as it has now become) continues on. With a cool and current mix of R&B, hip hop and some pop, the feels are more slick and of urban, cool, club like vibes. As the sun sets the lighting effects really come into their own in the dark and bring yet another feel. With dry ice illuminated over head, the blanket of dance tunes and coloured lasers magically transports us mentally to some outdoor club on the party isle. With whistles and whoops from the crowd, the glow effects and light-up accessories give an out of this world feel and the bouncing ripples in waves as the bass lines drop and the tempos kick in.
A full and comprehensive 2 hour set which has flown by ends with ‘All you Need is Love’ by the Beatles, Fleur comes to front of stage and encourages singing. So in what feels like a huge sing along, everyone swaying and smiling, arms around each other, Glitter comes to an end – on the biggest high!
Tonight has been the most joyful but at the same time relaxed, experience. The rich variety, diversity and inclusivity has been well and truly celebrated, and everyone was made welcome. The effort that has been put into this event is to be commended, and there genuinely has been a real feel of freedom and expression, but most of all fun. I’d go so far as to say Glitter had its own spirit! Apparently preparations for Glitter 2024 are already under way, and I for one say ‘Bring it on’ and I cannot wait! This was an astounding event.
Huge thanks go to HC Promotions, Golden Square Warrington, TAGS, Warrington Youth Services, United Utilities, IKEA, Twinge and Village Hotel Warrington for contributing so that this event could be free.
A final thank you to everyone involved, from performers, to staff, to sound/lighting techs, to the venues around Old Market Square and the vibrant and creative revellers who turned out in force to celebrate Warrington Pride.
FOLLOW FLEUR EAST
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
