Pop-rock group Imagine Dragons’ frontman Dan Reynolds announced the third annual LOVELOUD Festival this June, with hopes to spread affirmation and love to the LGBTQ+ youth through music and conversation.
“LOVELOUD is back again this year and stronger than ever,” LOVELOUD founder and Imagine Dragons frontman Reynolds said in a statement. “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.”
The festival will take place at USANA Amphitheatre in West Valley City, Utah on Saturday, June 29. Throughout the day, some all-star artists will take the stage, including Grammy-nominated pop star and equality advocate Kesha, along with Martin Garrix, Dan Reynolds, Tegan & Sara, Grouplove, K. Flay, PVRIS, and Laura Jane Grace. Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
“I’m truly honored and humbled to be headlining LOVELOUD this year,” Kesha said in a press release. “I stand with my talented friend Dan Reynolds and Imagine Dragons in this fight for equality. 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. A place that supports all people and all love. This festival has done so many wonderful things to help the LGBTQ+ community over the past few years, is a wonderful loving fun safe space, so I hope to see you all come out for LOVELOUD this summer!”
Statistics provided by the Center for Disease Control show that suicide is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. among young people ages 10 to 24, and LGBTQ+ youth who come from families that do not accept them are more than eight times likely to attempt suicide than those who do. LOVELOUD aims to help LGBTQ+ youth feel secure and accepted and raises money for mental health and health services for them.
All proceeds from the festival will benefit past beneficiaries The Trevor Project, GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, Tegan and Sara Foundation, and Encircle, as well as various organizations that serve LGBTQ+ youth. This year, the LOVELOUD foundation hopes to raise more than $1,000,000 from this year’s event, which they were able to do at last year’s festival.
Those who can’t attend the festival can watch it streamed in its entirety via AT&T’s social media handles.
Tickets to the festival go on sale March 15.
