REVIEW: CARDIFF PRIDE

Cardiff or Manchester, Cardiff or Manchester, Cardiff or Manchester. Dan Harrop-Griffiths chose Cardiff. Here’s his review…!

When I heard that Cardiff Pride was going head-to-head with Manchester Pride, I shrieked in wild Welsh wonder. What’s occurring? Would there be enough gays to go around?

Manchester Pride is always a fantastic weekend of parties, and for one weekend a year, I think how lovely it would be to swop Old Compton Street for Canal Street and head north to the red brick city…

It was with a fair bit of nervousness that I picked Cardiff over Manchester – I had free accommodation and could fit in a post-pride visit to Mother, which clinched the deal. How was Cardiff going to fill such big gay August Bank Holiday boots? Would there be a welcome in the hillside or a wet lesbian in a mac?

I was proper worried I was, and I’ll tell you for why – the past two Cardiff Prides had been a wash out, with last year’s canceled, then put back on, then canceled again at the last minute due to bad weather.

As soon as my train pulled into Cardiff Central (2hrs direct from London Paddington), I was glad I’d come. The sun had its big Welsh hat on, and it was warm, a proper summer’s day (Manchester I hear was not so lucky, with characteristic showers all weekend – sorry guys).

I made friends with a bunch of very attractive girls dressed as The Village People at the walls of Cardiff castle, then hit the field. Yes – the field. A proper, old-fashioned, big gay field. Remember how great Pride’s used to be when they were out on the grass? Brighton and Cardiff Pride both still have this essential attribute, which is what makes them a cut above the rest (weather permitting…).

There were fairground rides, a dance tent, stalls, bars and a big stage – everything you’d want from a Pride event – everything you could want from a music festival, and with free entry (apart from a few guys and girls merrily shaking buckets for some change at the gates), this was full on Welsh value.

On the main stage was a huge variety of performers, from 80’s tribute acts and choirs to up and coming local talent and well known acts like Blazin Squad (complete with Kenzie).

The field was packed all day, and was only partly spoilt by closing a few hours early – there were gangs of straights fighting in the park grounds, and security didn’t want to risk a larger outbreak. I missed all the action (I was necking pints of wine with Tina Arena backstage at the time), and to be honest, was about to head off, as the majority of the crowd were doing anyway – it was getting dark and there were more parties to be had…

One of gay Cardiff’s most popular nightspots, Pulse, had gone all out with a massive street takeover complete with dance tent and stage – acts like Tina Arena and the fabulous Laura White (X Factor) wowed the crowd with some stunning vocals. The parties continued inside, and at the other gay pubs and clubs around Cardiff – The Kings Cross, The Golden Cross, Club X and Club Exit (a lot of X and crosses there always means I get confused after a few) were all rammed to capacity, with a fantastic party atmosphere in every venue. I left Club X, or Exit (with both clubs opposite each other on the same street I never know which one is which) at 6am, and loved every minute of it. My fear that all the hotties would have disappeared to Manchester – there were plenty about, and one in particular, but that’s another story…

So next Bank Holiday, or next weekend even – Go West! Wales has a lot to offer…