Blaise Guerriero had never been to a music festival before.
So when he heard OUTLOUD Music Festival was coming to Boston for the first time this year, he decided to make go because he knew he would feel comfortable and accepted.
“I felt like this would be a very good introduction to a music festival because I have a whole bunch of friends that are here that were able to just come and celebrate and be here for Pride,” Guerriero, of Boston, told MassLive.
The Stage at Suffolk Downs hosted OUTLOUD Music Festival for its inaugural year on Saturday, June 21.
The festival featured performances from several popular queer artists including Kim Petras, Trixie Mattel, Flo Milli, Rebecca Black, G Flip and Frankie Grande.
For Nia Hernandez of Plymouth, OUTLOUD gave her a sense of belonging and acceptance.
“I live in a pretty conservative town, so anytime that I can go to a queer event, I want to go,” she said. “I just wanted to come and have a good time, and express ourselves freely and like be around like-minded people.”
Created in 2020, OUTLOUD is the leading LGBTQ+ music brand that celebrates and amplifies queer artistry through live events and other entertainment experiences.
In addition to pop-up tours and smaller shows, OUTLOUD hosts its flagship event, OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride, in West Hollywood, California every year.
OUTLOUD’s arrival to Boston towards the end of Pride Month is extra significant this year as the city recently became a sanctuary city for the transgender community.
“In today’s political climate, it’s more important than ever to uplift queer voices and provide a platform for LGBTQ+ artists,” Founder and Executive Producer of OUTLOUD Jeff Consoletti said in a previous press release. “Bringing the OUTLOUD Music Festival to my hometown of Boston is a surreal and full circle moment for me, a moment that isn’t lost in today’s climate of hostility towards my LGBTQ community.”
