Last night’s Fabuloso came to an abrupt end as The Black Eyed Peas’ headline set was cut short and the band was left on stage without sound after a late start.
Crowds at Preston Park in Brighton carried on singing the top hit I Gotta Feeling as band members looked around to resolve the issue, before holding up a UK flag, with a Pride flag displayed on screen to end the American group’s performance.
Despite the cut off, the band were able to dedicate their penultimate song Where Is The Love? to everyone suffering injustices around the world as they revealed the inspiration for the major 2003 hit came from the UK.
Band member Will.i.am praised the UK as a “special place” which was the group’s “first place to find success”, after listening to a sermon called Where is the Love in a Scottish church.
The trio – made up of Will.i.am, Apl.de.ap and Taboo – topped the Saturday line-up for Brighton and Hove Pride’s ticketed fundraiser Fabuloso in the Park.
They kept the crowd waiting and came on stage around 20 minutes later than billed.
Will.i.am and Apl.de.ap donned rainbow wristbands throughout the performance, and were joined on stage by female artist J Rey Soul on vocals.
The band opened the night saying: “Let’s go Brighton” with Let’s Get It Started as well as revving up the crowd with well-known hits Boom Boom Pow, Pump It, Don’t Stop The Party and Scream And Shout featuring Britney Spears.
They also introduced one of their latest tracks, Don’t You Worry featuring Shakira off their 2022 album Elevation.
Earlier during the day, the festival saw Jax Jones, Confidence Man, Dylan and more take to the main stage.
Zara Larsson, who performed before The Black Eyed Peas was a huge hit with the crowd with many running from one of the park to the other to see the Swedish singer.
DJs including Gok Wan and Honey Dijon got the crowds going inside the Gaydio tent which was packed with revellers.
More than 150 LGBTQ+ artists are performing over the weekend, for the official fundraiser event in aid of the Brighton Rainbow Fund, which distributes grants to LGBTQ+ and HIV groups across Brighton and Hove.
Today will see performances from Tom Aspaul, Harley Moon Kemp, B*Witched, The Vivienne, Louise, Melanie C before the festival is closed by Sunday headliners Steps.
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