Listen To The Polaris Sound Series: Ally Forces Playlist

One of my favourite parts about Pride Month is the abundance of musical performances. At clubs, concert halls and outdoor stages across Toronto’s Gay Village, LGBTQ2S artists are showcased in a way that’s extraordinary compared to the rest of the year.

Perhaps more importantly, queer and trans musicians play to audiences that distinctly reflect their communities. There is something truly magical about dancing shoulder-to-glittery-shoulder and hearing lyrics cut through the thick summer night that feel like they were written especially for you.

But of course, none of that will be happening this year. While many Pride celebrations have moved online, live music just isn’t the same through a screen. So I’ll turn this playlist up loud instead. Every Polaris-nominated artist on here — from queer cowboy Orville Peck, to Filipinx ensemble Pantayo, to non-binary singer-songwriter Rae Spoon and Two-Spirit composer Jeremy Dutcher — represents a vital voice in our LGBTQ2S community.

Backxwash, a Black transfemme rapper living in Montreal, provides the final track — a reminder that Pride was started as an uprising led by Black and Latinx queer and trans folks. Our hard-fought rights and so much of the music and art we enjoy today must be credited to them.

Curated by Michelle da Silva.

Supported by High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom.

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