Shoppers and festival-goers were treated to a high-energy hour when RuPaul made a debut DJ appearance at Brighton and Hove Pride’s Pride on the Park stage, delivering a string of dance anthems, crowd-pleasing moments and a healthy dose of runway charisma that reminded everyone why Pride is as much about joy as it is about protest.

Essential Takeaways

  • High-energy opening: RuPaul kicked off with "Cover Girl" and kept a steady stream of well-known dance tracks that had the crowd singing along.
  • Familiar anthems: Songs ranged from Whitney Houston remixes to contemporary club hits, creating a nostalgic, party feel.
  • Stage presence: RuPaul moved beyond the decks, dancing and strutting across the stage with runway flair.
  • Brief speech moments: Only a few recognisable lines were spoken, including the signature self-love mantra.
  • Festive atmosphere: The set was exuberant, camp and exactly the kind of celebratory moment Pride crowds come for.

A crowd-pleaser that opened with a wink

RuPaul chose a recognisable note to begin , their own "Cover Girl" , and that opening set the tone: upbeat, familiar and instantly singable. The mix of classics and club-ready tracks made the first wave of the set feel like a friends’ playlist turned festival-sized. According to local coverage, the selection got people moving and singing along, which is precisely what you want when a headline act is there to stoke the party mood.

Mixing versus performance: what the crowd saw

There was some debate about how much live mixing was happening behind the decks, but frankly, the energy mattered more than technical wizardry. Reports described RuPaul moving out from behind the equipment to show off dance moves and poses, which is an old showbiz trick , performers can lean on charisma when the setlist is strong. For festival-goers, the visual of the star strutting across the stage added theatre to the tunes.

A handful of words, a lot of feeling

RuPaul kept spoken moments minimal, but made them count. The trademark line about self-love landed as a gentle reminder amid the revelry, and that balance , song-driven celebration punctuated by a touch of message , felt in keeping with Pride’s mix of performance and politics. It’s a useful template if you’re planning a short, impactful appearance at a busy festival: say less, but mean it.

The setlist: nostalgic, camp and built to sing along

From soulful remixes to modern dance cuts, the choices leaned on recognisability. The finale , a remix of a Whitney Houston anthem , closed the hour on an emotional, communal note, the kind of moment that sends crowds off smiling. If you’re choosing festival tracks for maximum sing-along bang, prioritise hooks everyone knows and a finale that gives people a clear cue to cheer.

Why this mattered for Brighton Pride

Brighton and Hove Pride is as much a local ritual as a major event, and having an international drag icon take the icons slot felt symbolic. It brought mainstream attention while keeping the atmosphere celebratory and inclusive. For organisers and attendees alike, acts that deliver both showmanship and an accessible playlist help Pride remain both a safe space and a big-town party.

It's a small, joyful reminder that at Pride the music and the message can go hand in hand.

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