Love Unites 2022

Join the Love Unites 2022 Parade!

The Love Unites Parade brings the spirit of Pride to the centre of Reading and provides an opportunity for groups, organisations and individuals to show their support for both Pride and the ongoing campaign for equality.

Thank you Unison for generously sponsoring this year's LoveUnites Parade.

We have teamed up with local radio station B Radio Berkshire who will be broadcasting live from Kings Meadow. Bring along a portable speaker, tune in to B Radio, and together we can all dance, enjoy and sing along to Pride whilst marching!

New Route for 2022!

As we continue to grow, we have made some changes to the route this year. The key information you need to plan your day is listed below. The full route and map will be announced soon.

Starting Location: Reading Station Main Entrance, opposite The Oakford.

Assembly: 10am - 10.30am for setting off at 10.45am.

Finishing Location: Kings Meadow at approximately 12pm for the opening of the Love Unites Festival.

For more info on the route and how to book your group onto the parade, head to our website

On The Unite 'Jan Bastable' Main Stage

We are delighted to announce our headline act at the Love Unites Festival 2022 will be none other than former Girls’ Aloud legend Nadine Coyle!!

As part of legendary group Girls Aloud Nadine achieved 20 consecutive UK top ten singles including 4 UK number 1 singles, 2 UK number 1 albums and 5 consecutive platinum selling studio albums! As a solo artist a number one EP on iTunes chart followed, as well as several amazing solo singles!

Nadine will be supported by the return of the amazing Lolly! Lolly performed at our festival in 2021 and is back with what’s sure to be another fantastic show.

Rock Choir
Rock Choir is recognised as the first of its kind to offer a no-audition and no-requirement-to-read-music choir experience in the UK and offers local weekly rehearsals, performances and life-affirming events to more than 400 towns and communities.

The local Reading Rock Choir rehearses every Tuesday evening and are inviting anyone with any level of musical experience (and who loves to sing pop and contemporary songs!) to join them. To sign up for a free taster and more information, please visit www.rockchoir.com

Leadley
Female independent pop music artist with musical sounds a fusion between Carly Rae Jepsen and Kim Petras performing her original songs to backing track

Sam Solace
Sam Solace has been a successful International recording artiste since her early twenties and has written and recorded RnB, Hip hop,hi-nrg and club styles tracks. She has worked internationally, including New York and Sweden. She has performed in the Bronx at “Sugar Reef” as well as Manhattan.

In more recent years Sam has come away from the writing of her own tracks to record big singles into Dance versions and has been performing these for 8 years via large dance labels such as Almighty and Klone and having them related worldwide. Huge UK hits such as “Run” “Hallelujah” “Someone like you” and “All i want for Christmas” are some of the tracks that you can hear being belted out at clubs and bars nationally and internationally. She has recorded several tracks with the Hoxton Whores, the legendary house DJs.

A favourite in her LGBTQ+ scene she is never far from a Pride or a venue and has travelled across the Globe and across the UK weekly.

Janathan
Hailing from Manchester, UK, and With over 5 million Streams in 2022 alone, Janethan is a powerhouse performer bringing a soulful, gritty vocal to the pop world. With influences ranging from Dance, House, RnB, and Kpop, Janethan creates music that pulls from the strengths of a global music pool.

He is inspired by the juggernaut female vocals of the '90s and '00s, such as Whitney, Mariah, and Beyonce; whilst also bringing playful melodies and production in the vein of Timbaland, MNEK, and Ryan Tedder. This coupled with a love for international stars like BLACKPINK and BTS results in a sound that is incredibly familiar, yet simultaneously fresh and exciting.

Janethan first found success when his cover of WINNER's hit single "Fool" caught the attention of the group leader and songwriter, Kang Seung Yoon. This catapulted him into the eyes of his peers and millions of fans online, with Korean news even reporting on the topic. Since then Janethan has had multiple viral videos, been featured in the MAMA awards 2017, and has received praise from Katy Perry, Little Mix,  IKON, CL, PSY,  and many more.

Danny Lampo
Daniel Amponsah (born 02 September 1993) popularly known by his stage name Danny Lampo, is a Afrobeats/dancehall artist and a song writer based in the UK. Danny Lampo has achieved a lot in a few years, he was nominated at the Ghana Music Awards in UK as an Afrobeat artist of year but lost to Reggie n bollie. In 2021 Lampo won an award at the NELAS in the UK.

Bentley Jones
Electronic pop juggernaut Bentley Jones has amassed over 50 million sales of his music, as well as gathering remix credits for the likes of Madonna, Britney Spears, Kygo & Whitney Houston, Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga (who also follows him on Twitter).

Ben’s latest album “The Examined Life” gained support from BBC Introducing and premiered at the historic Global Pride festival (broadcast by Google) which was watched by 57.2 million people worldwide. He has since earned ambassadorships with Miami Beach Pride, Queens Sounds, 9monsters (the #1 LGBTQ+ app in Asia) and Gayming Magazine.

Ben’s latest music embraces the topics of love, sexuality, gender and the discrimination he’s faced from the music industry – all set to melodies that soar above refined, electronic-infused productions that are synonymous to Bentley’s reputation. Elements of trip-hop, R&B, 80s synths and house complete the breadth of a truly satisfying pop landscape.

Natalie Gray
Natalie Gray is a singer/songwriter originally from Reading. Natalie was featured on dance hits such as "Don't Walk Away" by Damian Harrison and "Get What You Give" by Joel Corry and Billy Da Kid. Natalie has recently released her own 80s inspired synth pop music which has been supported by BBC introducing. Natalie has just finished her own UK tour raising money for Women's Aid. Most recently Natalie has supported Rudimental at Penn Fest and Sody at Omeara.

Nicolette Street
Nicolette Street might as well have been born on the stage. A powerhouse performer who has it all - incredible talent, sultry good looks, the larger than life presence, and a voice to dream of, she is the modern day, real life musical superhero - with the social conscience to boot. “I feel that music can cross all boundaries and that it can stir up emotions in people in a way that, even they can relate to difficult topics that generally one would not discuss in conversation

Carter the Bandit
Hailing from Peckham Southeast London, Carter The Bandit has been carving out his own lane in the UK rap scene with his artistry over the last two years. Being a Gay, Black man within the UK’s rap scene, it hasn’t been the easiest of journeys for Carter entering the music industry - the Pop music community have been accepting of LQBQT artists way longer than the Rap/Hip Hop scene, and although far behind the scene is slowly opening their doors to rappers like Carter.

Carter’s purpose in music, alongside his fellow peers is to push and change the entire narrative around what it means to be a Gay, Black, Male, Rapper in the UK's rap scene - he wants to bring further awareness to homophobia in music and hopefully inspire a younger generation to live in their truth, too.

Ring the Alarm
Ring The Alarm (RTA) are a four member girl band based in London, consisting of members Elyse, Onyx, Reign and Maia. We hope to shake up the music industry with our raw international Pop/R&B sound, big personalities, and jaw-dropping dance moves. RTA represents the diversity and multiculturalism of London. They are from different walks of life and backgrounds, yet stand unified as one.

Your hosts on the Main Stage...

Jamie Wake
Jamie has been an LGBT+ activist for a huge number of years, has been seen on the cabaret scene as the great Sue Panover, and was crowned Mr Leather UK 2017, he is one of the  founding team members of Reading Pride and got it charity status in 2007.

He is now CEO of Club FOD to provide a regular and accessible dedicated safe space for the LGBT+ Community in Reading, Berkshire.

Dr. Bev
Dr Bev has been entertaining for over 25 years, although based in Cardiff she can regularly be seen performing throughout the UK from Newcastle to Southampton, Manchester to Brighton.

A pride favourite all over Europe, this year will see her performing on Malta Prides Main stage for the first time. She has recently taken part in 2 documentaries for the BBC on Drag culture in the UK.

Son of a Tutu
Son of a Tutu is a multi-award winning Drag Artist and equality activist: winner of Drag Idol 2011 and organiser of the 2016 Orlando vigil, Miss Tutu takes her hilarious and politically edgy show to venues and festivals all over the United Kingdom and beyond.

Wilma Fingadoo
Wilma has been hosting Reading Pride for nearly as long as it has been going in Reading. Something she's incredibly proud of and surprised each year when she is invited back considering her sharp tongue and naughty behaviour!

She's rude and crude and a firm favourite on the circuit where she has performed both in the UK and internationally! If you're easily shocked... you'll LOVE her!!! If you haven't experienced Wilma before... you're in for a treat! Get on down and stand at the front, you WON’T regret it!

PrideXtra Stage

PrideXtra is back by popular demand, this year bigger and better than before!

PrideXtra hosts some of the best in local talent showcasing fantastic drag performances, amazing costumes, laughs, glitter, and all things fabulous. There will also be DJ sets and a few exciting surprises!

Hosted by Sum Ting Wong, the line-up includes Grace Anatomy, Amber Rose Turner, Big Jay, Powdered Sugar and DJ Enbee to close.

Pride aLive Stage

Reading Pride is very proud to welcome back for 2022 our Pride aLive stage. Featuring fantastic local artists and bands who are either friends, allies and supporters of, or who themselves identify as LGBT+. Throughout the day they will be performing a mix of their own original songs and popular tunes. We have a strong and vibrant music scene here in Reading with many bands and acts on the cusp of breaking into the professional industry. This stage showcases that talent and the generous support there is locally for LGBT+ and across all diversity.

This year we are partnering with Readipop, a local charity which uses music and arts to enrich lives, communities and the cultural landscape of Reading and the Thames Valley, working with everyone from vulnerable young people and older folk, to aspiring artists and musicians.

Find out more via our website our website and don't forget to like and follow our social media to stay up to date with the latest news and gossip.