Is there any other festival in the UK which features a line up of stars both on stage and in the audience? While Róisín Murphy disco-ed the stage on Sunday 4th June under the sunshine, Tilda Swinton could be seen dancing among the crowd. The day before, Bill Murray was seen supporting Kelis who delivered one of the most iconic sets of the weekend. This is Mighty Hoopla.

Mighty Hoopla, stronger and stronger every year, brings together a mix of pop artists, both established and emerging, across various genres such as pop, dance, house, nostalgic and R&B. The festival aims to cater to a wide range of musical tastes, creating a diverse and comprehensive experience aimed specifically at LGBTQI+ audiences and beyond. The vibe is inclusive and the atmosphere fun!

The UK’s largest pop music festival Mighty Hoopla wrapped up 2023’s festivities on Sunday 4th June under a scorching sun. Brockwell Park hosts the festival every year. Hoopla offers a truly diverse atmosphere and it continues strengthen its significance on London’s Summer cultural calendar.

The festival welcomes people from different backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and unity like no other festival. Kicking off Pride month across the UK, the festival’s community fund benefits a range of non-profit organisations including Stonewall, Not a Phase and Positive East, all present through performances and activations on the grounds of Brockwell Park. This is the future of music festivals: stars performing for the greater good of communities.

On this year’s strongest edition, oganisers Glyn Fussell and Jamie Tagg said: “It’s been such a joy to make Hoopla even bigger and better – to bring over 60,000 people together for a weekend that celebrates acceptance, diversity in all its forms is EVERYTHING! We’d like to thank all of the performers, Hoopla teams, our sponsors, charity partners and of course – the best crowd there is – those singalongs are next level, every year. We’ll see you next time…!”
 
Mighty Hoopla prides itself on promoting inclusivity and acceptance. While the first day hosted superstars Kelly Rowland, Nadine Coyle, Kelis, Flo, Aqua, the second day saw more sets from Years & Years, Jake Shears, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Confidence Man, Roisin Murphy, Loreen and many more. Loreen had been confirmed a few days after she won this year’s Eurovision song contest. In a funny twist, Sophie Ellis Bextor performed Moloko’s Sing It Back, consciously or unconsciously responding to disco goddess Róisín Murphy’s previous set. A nice gesture between singers.
 
Headliners Years & Years made a grand return to the main stage following their 2017 headline performance. Olly Alexander delivered a professional set with breathtaking vocals that brought the crowd together. He was accompanied by the Trans Voices Choir. The set welcomed surprise guests including Jake Shears who joined Olly for “Filthy Gorgeous”. The most anticipated concert of the festival culminated with a finale marked with his hit “King”.
 
Throughout the rest of the day highlights included fabulous sets from Confidence Man, Dagny, Tom Rasmussen, Gloria Groove, Trove Stryke and Leo Kalyan. Headliners after headliners.
 
Drag and cabaret performers didn’t disappoint this year, with shows from Ru Paul Drag Race’s Danny Beard, drag troupes Faggamuffin, Bourgeois & Maurice, Lady Lloyd. It was camp, hilarious and incredible.
 
Later, sets from Arielle Free, and The 2 Bears, Joshua James and Midland kept the crowds dancing. Pleasure Palace welcomed a heap of big time fun filled sets, including Gemma Collins festival debut, the Don’t Cha Disco with Kimberley Wyatt, Swiftagedon, Emo Hour, George Michael Disco, Ex-Idol featuring Diana Vickers, Chico and much more.
 
This edition was one of the best as Mighty Hoopla hosted a list popstars, drag artists, comedians and DJs across their seven stages. Food and drinks stalls are always so amazing too with an easy access and plenty of options.

A festival supporting great causes, Mighty Hoopla is a unique festival promoting human rights as seen with Shon Faye’s empowering speech about the safe space that Hoopla provides for trans, queer people and allies. Mark your calendar for next year, Hoopla will return on 1st and 2nd June.

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