In a convergence of music and social progress, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons has announced the third annual LOVELOUD festival, to take plce June 29 at Usana Amphitheatre in West Valley City, Utah. Kesha will headline this year's festival, which will also feature performances by Martin Garrix, Tegan & Sara, Grouplove, K.Flay, PVRIS, Laura Jane Grace and Reynolds himself.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">6.29.19. One day. Dozens of amazing artists, including <a href="https://twitter.com/KeshaRose?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KeshaRose</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MartinGarrix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MartinGarrix</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/DanReynolds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DanReynolds</a>. $1 million to support LGBTQ+ youth. Thousands of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LOVELOUD?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LOVELOUD</a> stories. Make one of them yours and ignite change at <a href="https://t.co/b3Tj5tytxo">https://t.co/b3Tj5tytxo</a> powered by <a href="https://twitter.com/ATT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@att</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LOVELOUD2019?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LOVELOUD2019</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TURNUPTHELOVE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TURNUPTHELOVE</a> <a href="https://t.co/cDr2BAwp3Z">pic.twitter.com/cDr2BAwp3Z</a></p>— LOVELOUD (@LOVELOUDfest) <a href="https://twitter.com/LOVELOUDfest/status/1105853223464628225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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More than a music festival, LOVELOUD, "Seeks to progress the relevant and vital conversation about what it means to unconditionally love, understand, accept, and support LGBTQ+ youth in our communities," according to a statement.
The festival's date of June 29 coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, a significant day in the history of the LGBTQ+ community's struggle for equality. Pride month is celebrated in June every year to commemorate the historic event. The LOVELOUD Foundation will again aim to raise more than $1,000,000 this year to benefit The Trevor Project, GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, Tegan and Sara Foundation, and Encircle, and other organizations focused on serving our LGBTQ+ youth.
"LOVELOUD is back again this year and stronger than ever," said Reynolds. "We are excited to celebrate our LGBTQ youth through music and spoken word. My hope is that they feel loved, accepted and perfect just the way they are. I invite all the political and religious leaders of Utah to join us as we show our LGBTQ youth that they are not just loved, but truly accepted and appreciated."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m truly honored & humbled to be headlining <a href="https://twitter.com/LOVELOUDfest?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LOVELOUDfest</a> this year. I stand with my talented friend <a href="https://twitter.com/DanReynolds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DanReynolds</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/Imaginedragons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImagineDragons</a> in this fight for equality. I hope to see you all come out for LOVELOUD this summer!Get your tickets this Friday at <a href="https://t.co/g2xRtdk0sz">https://t.co/g2xRtdk0sz</a> <a href="https://t.co/fSj0jJ6ZCB">pic.twitter.com/fSj0jJ6ZCB</a></p>— kesha (@KeshaRose) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeshaRose/status/1105851103181070336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Kesha, who is also an avid animal rights crusader, underscored the importance of equality and unity the festival champions, saying, "We need to make sure that all LGBTQ+ people feel accepted and supported and that families have the support that they need. It's important to try to keep families together and having positive open minded conversations and, for me, to be a part of something that can continue building the bridge to create a safe space for everyone sounds like a beautiful opportunity."
Additional performers and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for LOVELOUD Festival go on sale Friday, March 15 at 10 a.m. MST here.
