Phrases / Phil Gomez
Polaroids / Rory Alvarez
The second we stepped foot underneath the Ok Bridge in Brooklyn and heard Alex Chapman’s set echoing via the concrete jungle, we knew LADY LAND 2025 was already serving. A heat breeze, a beat you may really feel in your chest, and that distinct, indescribable sense that one thing is about to occur.
The stroll from the doorway to the pageant grounds is at all times a bit nostalgic there’s one thing about that sluggish reveal of sound and magnificence that brings again all of the residual emotions from my youthful pageant days. That good mixture of anticipation, and neon lights within the air.
We kicked issues off the precise means with a LADYGUNN fave Armana Khan on deck, spinning a set that felt like the right pregame potion. We met up with some mates, grabbed our drinks, and hit the bottom. The gang… GORGEOUS. Like, editorial ranges of magnificence and self-expression all over the place you turned.
Following the glittery herd, we had been pulled into the orbit of Hercules & Love Affair’s DJ set and that’s when the magic hit: Ladyfag herself emerged, a power in full head to toe LUAR, face beat to the gods and presence turned all the way in which up. We tried to snap a Polaroid, however her power was so robust the digicam malfunctioned earlier than she sashayed off into the evening like a queer mirage. Iconic.
Finally, we discovered our means again to The Fist Stage, the place UNIIQU3 was in full command. Her set was pure adrenaline, a sweaty, horny, pulse elevating warm-up for the headliner of the evening the one and solely Cardi B. And let me inform you, she didn’t disappoint. Cardi had us screaming, and throwing it again . First day was nice, Cardi B def set the power for the remainder of the pageant.
Day two was my favourite. Primarily as a result of we received to have a bit kiki with Pabllo Vittar of their trailer earlier than they hit the stage. Much more stunning in individual (I don’t understand how that’s attainable, however right here we’re). I requested her which different queer, trans, Latina artists she’d like to see on future Woman Land lineups. With out lacking a beat, she stated,
“Urias! She’s my pal from Brazil, so dope. She’s wonderful.”
We even took a second to manifest extra Woman Gaga collabs and the way she’s on the hunt for love! Pabllo gave us the most effective performances of all the weekend—arms down.
One other standout second? Operating into one other favourite multitalented NYC freak Cheeky, trying past iconic in a full-on Woman Liberty ensemble, a real Statue of Liberation. The style that evening was particularly elevated, however how might it not be with a lineup like Eartheater, Isabella Lovestory, and FKA twigs. Earlier than her extremely anticipated closing set LadyFag passionately learn Zoe Leonard‘s 1992 poem to the group;
“I desire a dyke for president. I need an individual
with aids for president and I desire a fag for
vice chairman and I need somebody with no
medical health insurance and I need somebody who grew
up in a spot the place the earth is so saturated
with poisonous waste that they didn’t have a
selection about getting leukemia…”
Closing out the weekend with a hauntingly stunning, soul-stirring efficiency by FKA that left us breathless. We danced, we cried, we felt and in that second, it was Delight in its purest kind.
After I requested our magnificence editor Rory Alvarez what was his favourite second of the weekend,
“Pabllo Vittar, TWIGGS, and micro skirts all over the place.”
So with that, thanks for an additional unforgettable PRIDE homecoming. Already counting down until subsequent yr!
