Here Are The Acts We’re Hyped For At Mother’s Pride Celebrations
In a decade and a half, Mother’s Block Party has gone from a spontaneous street party to becoming the official afterparty of Dublin Pride. This has resulted in it being Ireland’s biggest Pride party. Absolut Vodka have been supporting the largest celebration of LGBTQ+ culture in the calendar and this year is no different. With a 40 year history of supporting queer institutions and figureheads, supporting Mother just makes sense.
Since Mother’s inception, they have been at the forefront of Queer rights activism in Ireland, playing key roles in pushing LGBTQ+ rights in such a pivotol era for the country. Pride has and always will be a protest first, and Mother has been there campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights.
Their weekly Lost Lane residency provides a core queer nightlife space in the city, not only giving a space for dancers but also giving a platform to queer DJs, dancers and artists. Over this time, Mother has also become the one-stop shop for international queer icons performing in Dublin. Trixie Mattel, Sasha Velour, Blessed Madonna, Lily Allen and so many other icons have graced the Mother stage.
On 26 and 27 June, Mother returns for their ever-iconic Opening Party and Block Party in Collins’ Barracks. It’s Ireland’s biggest Pride event and they have the names to back it up. Here are our unmissable picks to make your Pride just that little bit extra.
It’s not a new thing. In 1985 Absolut worked with Andy Warhol on a campaign and only a year later with Keith Haring, two of the most iconic queer artists in history. This has never slowed down with names such as Tom Ford, David Spada and Jean-Paul Gaultier being supported by Absolut. So put on that Pride fit you’ve been planning all month, and we’ll see you at the Barracks.
You can grab tickets to Mother’s Opening Party on Friday 26 June here.
You can grab tickets to The Mother Block Party on 27 June here.
Mother Opening Party
26 June
Peaches
Peaches is a certified queer icon. Her intensity on tracks such as ‘Boys Wanna Be Her’ and ‘Fuck The Pain Away’ is the reason why she’s consistently been selling out shows for over 25 years. This is a rare chance to catch one of her DJ sets at Mother’s opening party on 26 June. Expect some queer anthems mixed into her own back catalogue of back to back bangers.
Her sound meanders between disco and techno, stamping the sounds that queer nightlife culture was built on throughout her artistry. At 59 years old, Peaches has crafted a world of her own that has evolved over decades of LGBTQ+ culture. This has resulted in a rich catalogue from hair metal-esque tunes like on her record “Impeach My Bush” to collaborations with modern techno artist Hannah Laing.
Scissor Sisters
Every year, Mother smashes it out the park with their headliners. This year they’ve done it again. Is there a more feel-good sound than the Scissor Sisters? It’s hard to think of a group who is universally loved as these folks.
If “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin'” didn’t go triple platinum in the car back in the day, then we feel sorry for you. We’re imagining it now, Absolut in the hand, sun in the sky and “I Can’t Decide” just washing over you.
Mother Block Party
27 June
Vaticanjail
There’s nobody quite doing it like Vaticanjail in Ireland. Her self-produced work layers gorgeous, heartbreaking melodies on propulsive electronic backings. Drawing on her Chilean roots, it’s almost impossible for your body not to pulsate to her production whilst also being entranced by her stage presence.
Tracks such as “NEXT2U” pull from the world of drum and bass, giving us distortion, glitch and a reason to move. Then we receive delicate songs such as “Water” which gives us beautiful layered vocals and dreamy production. It’s an almost unmatched versatility which is a must see.
Cakes Da Killa
21st century vogue music right here. Cakes Da Killa has hip-hop pedigree that merges perfectly with house beats, bringing the classic ballroom energy to a new generation. We’re anticipating this one to be a highlight of the weekend, setting the tone for the party. If you want to see a queer pioneer in the rap world, and just some infectious electronic music, this is for you.
Cakes is a very rare case of being a beloved underground figure within the hip-hop purist community and the Queer world. Who else is appearing on an Injury Reserve album and then ripping up and old school house beat?
SOFI TUKKER
From New York to Dublin, only for Mother. The two-time GRAMMY-nominated electronic duo will be headlining the Mother Block Party this year and for good reason. Their live sets combine retro sounds from their own catalogue with a world of EDM, groove and house. It’s not only their original tracks that are great, their ability to remix anthems from Lady Gaga, Jan Blomqvist and Rema leave us always guessing when they’re on the decks. The duo have played some of the biggest electronic stages in the world, so we’re blessed to have them at Mother this year. Expect a stunning finale to your Pride celebration.
Absolut has proudly supported queer culture for almost half a century, championing creativity, self-expression, and LGBTQ+ communities around the world. This weekend, they’re helping kick off Mother’s Pride celebrations in Dublin. The Mother Block Party is Ireland’s biggest LGBTQ+ party and, without fail, one of the standout moments of Pride year after year.
Across two unforgettable nights, Mother will bring together queer icons from Ireland and beyond for a celebration of music, community, and culture. Whether you’re planning your Pride weekend or looking for the party of the year, Mother has you covered.
Pride just wouldn’t be the same without Mother. We’ll see you there.
You can grab tickets to Mother’s Opening Party on Friday 26 June here.
You can grab tickets to The Mother Block Party on 27 June here.
Please enjoy Absolut responsibly. Visit www.drinkaware.ie for more information.
