OutLoud Music Festival (Days 1&2) – West Hollywood Park – West Hollywood (A PopEntertainment.com Concert Review)

Updated: Jun 10

OutLoud Music Festival (Days 1 & 2) – West Hollywood Park – West Hollywood, CA – May 31 & June 1, 2024

Kesha, Janelle Monae, Doechii, and Channel Tres Kickoff Night 1 and 2 of OutLoud Music Festival at West Hollywood Pride

Not even a day into pride month, and West Hollywood was ready to celebrate queer culture, music, and living at the OutLoud Music Festival at West Hollywood Pride. The three-night festival kicked off on Friday and Saturday with performances from Kesha, Janelle Monae, Doechii, and Channel Tres, who rang in pride month with high-energy sets, costume changes, surprise guests, and lots of glitter.

For headlining performer Kesha, Friday night’s performance was highly personal, performing in concert for the first time since settling her decade-long legal battles with music producer Dr. Luke. The singer wasn’t shy to talk about the moment, telling the crowd “This is my first show as a free motherf***ing woman,” to an uproar of applause.

Kesha kicked off her set with an unreleased track, opening up with the lyrics, “I only drink when I’m happy and I’m drunk right now.” In early march, the singer began teasing a new era of music at the website Kesha is Waiting for You, and Friday’s performance offered a first glimpse at the type of music we can expect to hear on her upcoming record. The track brought back her signature pop sound that she is known for and referenced themes of celebration and freedom that continued throughout her set.

Saturday’s lineup kept up the momentum from start to finish, as Yaeji, Keke Palmer, Channel Tres, Doechii, and Janelle Monae all took the stage. Channel Tres brought upbeat songs like “Top Down” to the stage with one request for the audience: “I’m really known for shaking my ass and I want y’all to join me,” the singer asked. “When this beat drops, I need some ass shaking.”

Janelle Monae’s headlining set on Saturday brought out all the stops, with multiple costume changes and an A-list lineup of special guests including Queen Latifah and Gabrielle Union joining her on stage. But the highlight of Saturday’s performances came from up-and-coming singer and rapper Doechii, who lit up the stage with hit songs like “What It Is.” Doechii and Monae joined each other during Monae’s set to perform their song “Phenomenal” together, for one of the best moments of the evening.

The Highlights: The depth of talent at the festival was highly impressive – with up-and-coming queer performers like Yaeji and Doechii shining from start to finish. Doechii’s set showcased the immense range of her talent as both a singer and a rapper and stood out on hit tracks like “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” and “Alter Ego.”

Kesha’s performance on Friday was a highlight – showcasing her talent and leaving fans excited for her upcoming music. She balanced new music with old hits, but maintained a self-awareness for what the crowd wanted, at one point yelling “get your phones out bitches” before performing her breakout single “TiK ToK.” Her gratitude for the queer community was always front and center, while the audience returned their appreciation by singing along to every word as she performed.

The Hiccups: Adam Lambert’s performance in front of a home crowd was one of the most anticipated sets at Friday evening’s show, but onstage there was a disconnect to the crowd that felt palpable and brought the energy of the evening down.

False starts created some awkward moments on Saturday, as Janelle Monae’s set seemed to start and stop three separate times before the singer and actress took the stage.

The Verdict: The OutLoud Music Festival at West Hollywood Pride cemented its place as one of the premiere pride festivals in the country, bringing an A-list lineup of performers across its first two nights to kick off pride month and celebrate the queer community. It’s the perfect festival for any Southern California locals who are looking to dance in the crowd, sing along to their favorite artists, and above all else celebrate the queer community.

Brian Denney