Big Gay Out 2005 - Saturday 23rd July 2005

For someone who marched on Pride parades dating back to the early nineties I've watched these events evolve over the years. There have been some tremendous years at Brockwell Park and Clapham common including the early Mardigras years at Finsbury park and, all too many years where the weather has failed us and we've shivered our way through a freezing July afteroon. Anyone remember the freezing weather at Victoria park in 1994, the drenching we got at Hyde park in 2003 and downpour Summer Rites in Brixton a few years before. The low points were the cancellation of the pride festival in 1998 and the donkey trek to the back of beyond that was Hackney Marshes into 2002 although the weather on that occasion was that bad.

These events on the whole have followed the Pride march through central London which everyone felt to be incredibly important especially in the days when Mrs Thatcher and co were around. Huge numbers would turn out both from around the UK and London.

Nowadays many would argue the politics have moved on and together with an ever increasing number of regional pride events the numbers attending the march have dropped off. The party is the park has also evolved, becoming less political, and a greater emphasis on have a good gay day out, dance tents etc. The days of the pride event being a free festival are long gone, given the huge losses run up in the past and the unwillingness of London councils to pick up the tab for understandable reasons.

After Mardigras folded, Big Gay Out have taken up the mantle of producing a gay summer festival. For the first time the date was moved away from the pride march, and all the baggage and politics associated with that. Once again the festival was held in Finsbury park. The lineup for this year promised 45 acts, 150 DJs, 12 stages, a foam party, a lagoon with an island and a huge laser and firework finale. Tickets prices ranged from £28 to £40 on the day. The event is claimed to be not from profit and a donation is given to a major charity, this year being Stonewall.

The main stage was the centrepiece for the event with acts including The Human League, Bananarama and Tony Christie been well received. Later in the evening Girls Aloud put on a tremendous show followed by a finale with a reformed Frankie Goes to Hollywood minus Holly Johnson and a few fireworks. Even as the heaven's opened, the rain couldn't dampen spirits.

Elsewhere during the day the dance tents were packed to the rathers with sweaty muscle boys (lovely) bopping away to the music with some great lighting effects. The Orange tent was particularly busy later in the afternoon as well as the Faceparty Terradome. The Enchanted Forest of David Hasselhoff provided a welcome chill out area. No sign of the man himself though. A foam party, giant inflatables and a 100 metre beach island party also proved popular. There was a market stall area and champagne tent charging £45 a bottle. Cheek. I'll have two.

There was a good crowd in the park, although probably not sufficient numbers for the event to break even. The stage line wasn't as good as Mardigras and there was overall less to do and see etc than in previous years. The big pop acts are either too expensive or unwilling to take part for "the cause". The dance tents worked well though.

The tickets were expensive which reflect the phenominal cost of running this type of event in London. Its a catch 22 situation where you need to put a good show to get sufficient punters to part with their cash upfront to fund the whole event. £28 is on a par with a relatively cheap night out in London clubland without all the extras etc. However many people remain cynical or just can't afford it. I can't imagine many people who would be willing to pay £40 being charged on the day itself for what was on offer. We had a good time though and would recommend people supporting the event next year which is already planned for Saturday 22nd July 2006. For further information see www.biggayout.com.