OUTLOUD Music Festival returned to West Hollywood with a lineup that had something for everyone. As part of a packed weekend at WeHo Pride, the highly anticipated annual festival draws thousands of attendees. This year saw the Pussycat Dolls reunite to headline on Saturday night. Ava Max and JADE headlined Friday and Sunday respectively, with loyal fans showing up early to get a coveted barricade spot. With two stages, activations, photo ops, and several food trucks, there was always someone to see or something to do. The Main Stage had a steady lineup of iconic and up-and-coming artists, while the Summertramp Stage was the place to party with your favorite DJs. The atmosphere radiated joy and freedom, as everyone came together to live life to the fullest and celebrate Pride.
On Friday, which was free to attend with registration, DJ Hannah Rad got the day going with some club classics. She kept the energy going all weekend long, spinning in between acts and introducing the performers tirelessly. The Drag King Showcase really kicked off the night, with two captivating performances by King of Drag contestant Dick Von Dyke and winner King Molasses. Dick Von Dyke gave off Justin Timberlake denim realness to “I Want it that Way” by NSYNC and King Molasses was dripping with swagger to “U Got It Bad” by Usher.
Next up was trio DARUMAS, an all-female Latin pop band that blends R&B and funk into their style. They included covers of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston and “Say You’ll Be There” by Spice Girls in their set that really broke the ice and got everyone going. Their infectious music, easy to dance and groove to, made them an absolute must-add to your playlists. Later on, rapper Cakes da Killa and DJ Succubus took the stage and got the electronic dance party vibes going, concluding with “Don Dada,” turning the party into a rager.
Afterwards was pop singer-songwriter Maude Latour, who ended up being one of my personal favorites of the whole weekend. From her starry visuals to how utterly ecstatic she was to be playing the festival, she is absolutely a pop star in the making. The song she wrote about her girlfriend, “Lola,” and “One More Weekend” were the highlights of her set, the latter getting everyone moving if they weren’t already.
The crowd’s excitement grew as Jess Glynne stepped onto the stage, a voice everyone recognizes immediately. She’s most well known for her song with Clean Bandit, “Rather Be,” which she started off her set with, accompanied by male ballerinas dancing around her.
Her 2015 song, “Hold My Hand,” recently received a huge revival from viral videos featuring Jet2holidays ads the song is used in. Her effortlessly flawless live vocals were consistent the whole set, sounding even better than she did a decade ago.
Finally, Friday night headliner Ava Max stepped into the spotlight with a massive yellow skirt, a red feather headpiece, and dancers surrounding her. Her fans in the front especially were excited to hear the live debut of “KiLL iT QUEEN,” as well as a few songs she hadn’t played in years. Despite her voluminous skirt, she moved throughout the stage easily, giving everyone the performance they were waiting for. Since she cancelled her tour last year, this show felt like a comeback, and she delivered.
On Saturday, there were twice as many artists to choose from, with both stages having a packed schedule. This was where the tough decisions started, unable to be in two places at once. On the Main Stage, pop duo Wolf and Love got the feel-good vibes going early. Their punchy, synthy sounds and distinct vocals made them stand out, not to mention their joyful energy. They pleasantly surprised everyone with dancers during their set, hitting their choreography and looking good while doing it.
Cain Culto brought a whole different vibe after that. From his upbringing in Kentucky to his Colombian and Nicaraguan heritage, he blends witchcraft, folk, rap, and sexuality into his “Kentucky Latin Art-Pop” music. Coming on stage in a DIY mask and head covering showing only his eyes accentuated by his dark makeup, the burning sage in his hand cloaking him in smoke only intensified his commanding presence. He traded the sage for his fiddle and captivated the audience with his most popular song “KFC Santería.” Culto dialed up the sex and got the crowd dancing with the rest of his set, including “chismosa,” “Brujeria,” and “SACRILEGE,” stripping down from his pants into something a little more revealing.
Next was Aliyah’s Interlude, rapper and influencer who is known for her colorful Y2K-inspired style dubbed “AliyahCore” on social media. She blew up with her 2023 hit “IT GIRL,” and she proved that she really is that girl on stage. From her fun energy to bringing up audience members for a dance-off, she exuded all the it girl qualities. To everyone’s delight, Aliyah brought out fellow influencer and musician Ve’ondre Mitchell to perform “IT GIRL” with her, since they collaborated on the remix of the song.
Lydia Night followed, another pop star in the making. As a big fan of her former band that disbanded a few years ago, The Regrettes, I was super excited to see her (hopefully) play some of those songs and check out her solo stuff. The Regrettes’ guitarist Genessa Gariano actually joined Night for a few songs, which was really nice to see. The best part of Night’s set was her walking off the stage and around the barricades to the crowd and dancing and singing with all of them. She also did a beautiful cover of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own,” one of the most iconic gay anthems.
R&B singer-songwriter Destin Conrad followed up with a fun and high-energy set. He dedicated his song “P.B.S.” to all the pretty boys in the crowd, winning over the audience with upbeat songs and beats that were impossible not to dance to. Meanwhile, over on the Summertramp stage, DJ and pop artist Rossi was busy bringing disco back. He came prepared with a fully choreographed set with dancers, a custom starry outfit, and shiny set pieces including a disco themed applause meter. Smoothly navigating the smaller stage, he flexed his falsetto with a cover of “Kiss” by Prince, enchanting the audience, who were fully on board with Rossi as soon as they saw him.
Frost Children, the hyperpop sibling duo consisting of sisters Angel and Lulu Prost, took the stage, and the crowd’s enthusiastic reaction made it immediately clear they were one of the evening’s most anticipated acts. Their set coincided with the sun going down, and the party really got started then. They played banger after banger, including a Kim Petras cover, and the audience was wild for them. They were in their own world on stage, with Angel dancing free-spiritedly and Lulu matching her energy and vocals with passion.
Next, singer, songwriter, and producer MNEK was on, complete with dancers and pristine vocals. As a longtime Zara Larsson collaborator, he played a snippet of “Midnight Sun,” then went into “Never Forget You,” and performed unreleased music.
British R&B girl group FLO was heavily anticipated, and they lived up to every expectation with their performance. One of the best acts that has debuted in the past few years, they balance their perfect harmonies and synchronized choreography with ease. Channeling the nostalgia of ’90s and 2000s R&B through both their music and overall aesthetic, they were one of the biggest highlights of the weekend.
Ashlee Simpson came on stage to “I Am Me,” and was simply so excited she had to start the song over. Simpson was the most pleasant surprise of the weekend, not because I doubted she’d be good, but because she was absolutely elated to be there, and she ended up being great. Over and over, she would talk about how much she loved the gay community, how they had always been there for her, and how she couldn’t believe she was playing the festival. Her genuine excitement and love for the audience made her performance that much sweeter. She brought out a bunch of boys, including Lance Bass, for a fun take on “Boys,” and closed out her set to “Pieces of Me,” everyone singing along to her breakout hit.
Finally, it was time for The Pussycat Dolls to reunite and headline the festival. They were previously set for a huge comeback in 2020, but the pandemic derailed their plans. Members Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt, and Ashley Roberts relaunched the group as a trio a few months ago for a reunion tour. They made a grand entrance, launching into “When I Grow Up,” dressed in coordinated, colorful baggy outfits and flanked by dancers. They continued to give a balanced dose of song and dance, the audience going crazy, considering some songs hadn’t been played since 2009. They took a section in the middle to give each member a moment to shine: Scherzinger with a solo medley, Roberts giving a dance showcase, and Wyatt doing a DJ set with the dancers. They came back together and delivered one crowd-pleaser after another, keeping their moves in sync and big smiles on their faces. Their dance breaks enthralled the crowd, and the inclusion of elements of iconic hits from artists like Beyoncé and Britney Spears kept the music feeling fresh. They closed out the night with “Don’t Cha,” and what better way to bring an unforgettable day of music and community to an end? The Dolls are back!
Sunday, the final day of the festival, was a little less packed in the schedule, making it slightly easier to choose who to see. Pop-rock duo Senses played to a small but receptive crowd in the early afternoon, the California natives getting exposu›re to their newest fans in WeHo. They included a cover of “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan, giving the song an edgier makeover, vocalist Madison Taylor practically channeling Roan herself. The queer anthem brought everyone together, singing along and dancing with friends.
Next, pop singer-songwriter flowerovlove popped out of a gigantic pink mini skirt in a sparkling gold dress, dispensing a proper dose of her soft, floating voice over dreamy melodies to the audience. Prior to her set, everyone in the crowd was given flower crowns to wear. At only 21 years old, flowerovlove has a unique sound and aesthetic, from her Mary Janes and knee highs to her lyrics exploring love and womanhood.
Her performance of “breaking news” was the highlight of her set. The text on her white socks read “gay son” and “thought daughter,” a popular joke online about judging someone’s prejudices. With her talent and presence, I hope to see her star continue to rise.
Following was original cast member of The Real Housewives of New York City, Luann de Lesseps, or Countess Luann, who has released several singles and has her own cabaret show. She played a majority of those singles, including “Chic C’est La Vie” and “Money Can’t Buy You Class,” along with covers like “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)” by Soul II Soul and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears. Her playful energy made her short but sweet set all the more worthwhile.
To switch things up, Emmy Award-winning drag queen Lushious Massacr graced the stage to Adele’s “To Be Loved,” injected with her lexicon (don’t do it little girl!). Following her performance, she gave an impassioned speech about how important love and support is in the queer community, as well as not tolerating any mistreatment. It was sobering, full of her brand of humor, and a much needed reminder of how special it was to be able to participate in a weekend such as this one.
The momentum of the day kept building as Baby Tate took the stage with an alluring energy that demanded the audience’s full attention. Singer-songwriter, rapper, and producer, she kept the crowd bumping to her upbeat mix of pop, R&B, and hip-hop. With many of her songs, including “I Am,” “Jersey,” and “Straight,” Tate explores themes of empowerment, heartbreak, and sexuality. She also explores how riled up she can get the crowd with her seductive moves on stage. The most unforgettable part of her set was when it seemed like something was wrong and she might have to end her show early; she began to say she was sorry and then followed up by saying “I’m gonna have to take your wig…” initiating the start of “Wig,” her last song.
Australian electro pop band Confidence Man took it from there with a club-focused sound and a dance-forward performance. The band members use pseudonyms: Janet Planet, Sugar Bones, Reggie Goodchild, and Clarence McGuffie. Planet and Bones dance and sing together, with Planet dominating the vocals as Bones complements her through continuous choreography that features several lifts and jumps. They got the crowd in a frenzy with their energetic sound, maintaining the crowd’s enthusiasm with one bouncy track after another.
Finally, it was time for JADE to close out the festival. The former member of Little Mix leaned fully into her “it girl” personality, performing songs from her critically acclaimed debut solo album, That’s Showbiz Baby! She squeezed every last bit of energy from the crowd, showcasing her journey from being part of a group into a pop star in her own spotlight. She brought out Confidence Man for a dynamic performance of their collaboration “Gossip,” and played “BOY CRAZY.” by Kesha, which JADE is featured on. She packed the setlist with fan favorites, fitting even more songs in by shortening some and doing a medley of several Little Mix tracks. She seamlessly stepped into the choreography alongside her dancers, barely breaking a sweat. She took an emotional beat and displayed her vocal skill with “Church,” a song written as a love letter to the LGBTQ+ community. Before the song, she talked about the love she has for the community, which is the majority of her fanbase, and how important it is to be an unwavering ally. JADE closed the festival with “Angel of My Dreams,” everyone in the audience singing the bittersweet lyrics back to her, ending the night on a euphoric high. She delivered a fitting finale to the festival, leaving no doubt about the capabilities of her star power.
What an unforgettable time at OUTLOUD, brought to life by the most dedicated talent and crew, with the most welcoming community showing up in full force. With another exceptional year, the festival continues to raise the bar and has firmly cemented itself as the best of its kind with all that it has to offer.
On that note… See you next June!
EXTENDED GALLERY: Outoud Festival in West Hollywood, California (June 5-7, 2026)
