Spotify presents: Birmingham Mela – billed as the UK’s biggest South Asian music festival – will be hosting an LGBTQ+ village for the first time in 2023 this weekend. Organisers of Birmingham Mela, say the LGBTQ+ village is a “bold show of solidarity” with LGBTQ+ South Asians, in partnership with Birmingham Pride.
Lawrence Barton, festival director at Birmingham Pride, told ITV News: “I’m delighted Birmingham Pride is evolving into one of the most diverse and inclusive Pride events in the UK.
“As we expand, it’s important for us that we work with all communities who live within Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region to ensure we engage, educate and inform all communities on LGBTQ+ equalities. I couldn’t be prouder of our partnership with Birmingham Mela this year.”
Shine Duggal, Creative Producer at Birmingham Mela, added: “Mela is a festival committed to inclusion, we have programmed LGBTQ+ artists at Melas previously, and this year we are taking our solidarity to the next level by committing to showcasing talent, creating a safe space for South Asian LGBTQ+ communities and their allies, to celebrate intersectional South Asian identities.”
The LGBTQ+ village will provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ South Asians at the festival as well as shining a light on artists from the community including BAFTA-nominated drag artist Asifa Lahore and British born Iranian, DJ Aria Homiebaba. The line-up will also include: DJ Yash, Das the Company (Rajan Das), SpitXL, Wild Hearted Pilgrims, DJ Deesh, DJ Twara, Gravity (featuring DJ Harj and DJ Tally), and duo Brown Excellence.
Danny Singh, Event Director at Birmingham Mela, added: “Everyone is welcome at Mela. This year we’re excited to build on our commitment of diverse and inclusive programming and I’m extremely proud to be teaming up with Birmingham Pride to showcase South Asian LGBTQ+ artists and introduce ‘The Village’ element to our growing Mela site.”
Birmingham Mela festival will be held in Victoria Park, Smethwick from Saturday, July 22 until Sunday, July 23.
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