Just because Pride weekend 2021 had already come and gone didn’t mean there was room for more queer celebration, because there is ALWAYS room for more queer celebration. And that was exactly the scene when the night kicked off for the “Wish You Were Queer” end of Pride celebration at Our Wicked Lady on Tuesday June 29. Performing were queer artists Cristy Road (of pop punk greats Choked Up), sad indie Tenderheart Bitches, and the energetic power trio Talay. The night was MC’d by drag and burlesque performer C’etait Bontemps who performed between sets and later wowed the crowd rocking out to 90s hits during the karaoke finale of Talay’s set.

 

Cristy Road got the night rolling with an acoustic set, which saw her belting stripped down versions of tracks from her band Choked Up aka a “pop punk Telenovela,” as well as some newer material. She punctuated her set with stories about the songs and fun quips about astrology much to the delight of the audience (because queers love astrology, this I can confirm!). For her final song, she performed sans guitar and sang with the accompaniment of a guest drummer, aka me. It was an impromptu last minute thing we decided on the night of the gig but I’m always down to play drums and I definitely had a lot of fun joining her on stage to be a part of the celebration as well. Choked Up is currently working on new music and will be recording a new album soon, due out in 2022.

 

Tenderheart Bitches took the stage next for a set that ranged dynamically from loud to soft and back again, often times all within the same song. This push and pull kept the crowd in rapt attention throughout, even during the quietest passages where you could otherwise almost hear a pin drop. The band has been working on new music and released their debut single “Blood Orange” the day after the show which is available to stream via their Spotify.

 

Talay headlined the night and hit the ground running as soon as they strummed the first note. The energetic trio hammered away at song after song of infectious and catchy power pop that had the crowd singing along every step of the way. By the end of their set, the line between audience and performer blurred even more as things evolved into a karaoke party when enthusiastic friends and fans grabbed the mic to sing 90s hits like “Come To My Window” by Melissa Etheridge and closed down the show with an epic version of “You Outta Know” by Alanis Morissette. And I don’t know about you, but I am always a sucker for a 90s singalong.

 

Pride month may be fading into the distance for 2021, but this night proved that at every level, we need to be supporting and nurturing queer artists from local talents such as these, up to the bigger players on the national scene. If I know anything, I know that queer artists are needed and vital 365 days a year, and that music fans can keep this conversation going any day, any time- regardless of whether or not corporate sponsors are marketing it for a branding opportunity or covering themselves in rainbow for a month.

 

 

Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Kate Hoos)

 

 

CRISTY ROAD

 

 

 

C’ETAIT BONTEMPS

 

 

 

TENDERHEART BITCHES

 

 

TALAY