Brighton Pride 2025 concluded in dazzling style at Preston Park on Sunday, August 3, as reunited pop icons Sugababes delivered a triumphant headline set that brought the weekend to a euphoric close. Their hour-long performance capped off a second day packed with seasoned chart royalty, fast-rising queer talent, and acts that understood exactly what the moment demanded. For the tens of thousands gathered on the lawn, the final notes of “About You Now” were more than a closing number – they were an affirmation.
Sugababes, in their original and most beloved lineup of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan, and Siobhan Donaghy, were visibly elated to be sharing the same main stage as Mariah Carey the night before. Their set was a celebration not only of their own legacy but of pop music’s power to transform and transport. From the opening beat of Overload and In The Middle, to the pulse of Round Round and Too Lost In You , every moment was sharpened with energy and intent. The group seamlessly navigated their extensive catalogue, mixing chart-toppers with ballads and teasing a new single, Shook, that felt fully rooted in their evolved dynamic. Contrary to old tabloid-driven narratives of infighting and backstage tension, what unfolded on Sunday was a display of genuine sisterhood. They moved as one, exchanging knowing glances, laughing between verses, and offering praise that felt spontaneous, not rehearsed. The chemistry was real – complementing and complimenting one another in equal measure. Their harmonies were tight, their dance breaks loose and infectious, and the crowd was with them every beat of the way.
Earlier in the evening, Will Young brought warmth, wit, and vocal finesse to his 5 PM slot. Dressed simply but commanding attention, he opened with Love Revolution before spinning through a catalogue that bridged the early 2000s to the now. His acoustic rework of Daniel (a Bat for Lashes cover) added a haunting moment of reflection, before picking up tempo again with Switch It On and the crowd-favourite Leave Right Now. Known for moments of cheeky unpredictability, Young broke from protocol to walk into the crowd during All Time Love, shaking hands, giving hugs, and reminding fans why he remains such a staple of UK pop.
Photo: HersToday/Brighton Pride 2025
Just before Will, Natalie Imbruglia took to the stage in a pastel floral, Marques’Almeida midi dress that became a symbol in itself – age-defying, elegant, and tongue-in-cheek. “I’m 50, deal with it,” she teased early on, but her voice was anything but tentative. Shiver had the crowd swaying in rhythm, Wishing I Was There landed with poignant precision, and her take on Chappell Roan’s Red Wine Supernova earned surprised approval. Unsurprisingly, Torn brought mass singalong energy, but it was Big Mistake that closed the set on a punchy, rock-infused note – evidence that she’s not just coasting on nostalgia.
Photo: HersToday/Brighton Pride 2025
The afternoon saw strong sets from a vibrant and varied performances. Queer pop newcomers Lyvia and Nxdia pulled solid crowds in the early heat, while Andy Bell of Erasure delivered synth-pop with emotional sincerity during the 6 PM slot. The False Idols Ceremony that followed was a bold, performance-art-infused pause in the programme -somewhere between drag spectacle, protest theatre, and sacred rite. Meanwhile, over in the other tent, Fatboy Slim proved he’s still the master of the party. His hour-long set was relentless in rhythm, turning a shaded corner of Preston Park into a full-blown dance temple. It was less about headliners versus side acts and more about synergy – every performance held space, stirred identity, and pushed the atmosphere higher. And yet, as the sun dipped and the lights shifted for the final act, it became clear that Sunday belonged to the Sugababes.
There was something operatic about the arc of the weekend. Mariah may have brought the heavenly registers and velvet polish, but Sugababes brought blood, sweat, and eyeliner. Their presence didn’t just signal a reunion – it marked a reclamation. If Saturday felt cinematic, Sunday had grit under its nails. And here’s the twist: Brighton Pride doesn’t pretend to be perfect, and that’s precisely its power. The glitter doesn’t hide the grit. The sequins don’t drown out the politics. What this final day showed – between Sugababes’ off-script affection, Will Young’s fan embrace, and Natalie’s full-volume self-acceptance – is that the UK’s loudest Pride is also its most human. Camp, yes. Chaotic, sometimes. But real.
This wasn’t about perfect choreography or seamless transformations. It was about the roar that erupted – rage, ravished – when About You Now reached its final chorus. A track that, despite its glossy production, landed with raw, collective longing and emotion. It was about the unspoken understanding when a stranger offered their flag as shade; about people of all ages, bodies, sexualities, and pronouns lifting their voices not just in nostalgia, but in shared defiance. Brighton Pride’s final notes weren’t a fade-out nor erasure – they were a rallying protest, Pride-style: We matter. We are here. Live with it.
