Brighton Pride: Zara Larsson and Black Eyed Peas at Fabuloso

Our photographers were out and about to capture the stars and their fans as they braved the muddy conditions in Preston Park for a great evening with a packed line-up.

Bellah Mae kicked things off on the main stage with a fun gig marking her return to the city after the Great Escape Festival in May. 

Bellah Mae on stage (Image: Mike Burnell)

While most of the crowd were covered head to toe in waterproof ponchos and jackets, Bellah was in a pink dress and Doc Martens, splashing into the puddles on stage.

As the rain subsided and the crowds grew, the UK's Eurovision contestant Mae Muller got everyone going with her catchy tunes including her song contest entry I Wrote A Song.

Mae Muller at Pride (Image: Mike Burnell)

Thousands pf people flocked into a muddy Preston Park with their friends and families looking forward to a great evening of music and partying.

The conditions did not dampen spirits (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

But the Fabuloso festival was not just about the main stage. In the nearby Gaydio Dance Tent hundreds raved as lasers illluminated the hazy interior.

The Gaydio Dance Tent (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Fashion guru-turned-DJ Gok Wan took to the decks inside the tent for a rave with remixes on classics. And, of course, the tent was a welcome respite from the drizzle.

Inside the Gaydio Dance Tent (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Back to the main stage and producer Jax Jones, who has been behind some of the biggest hits in the last decade, was spinning the decks to ever-growing crowds.

He brought along with him an impressive set of visuals including graphics of KFC man Colonel Sanders holding a bucket reading "Jax Jones - Ear Licking Good."

Jax Jones at Pride (Image: Mike Burnell)

Australian indie electro pop band Confidence Man were next, with their eccentric and well-planned choreographies to match the unique beats. What a way to get the Pride crowd going.

Confidence Man at Brighton Pride (Image: Mike Burnell)

Their light-up attire brought a unique twist to their stage presence, which their designer Alexi Freeman says has "LEDs bright enough to be seen from Google earth". Apt, considering their out-of-this world performance.

The duo have travelled all the way from Brisbane (Image: Mike Burnell)

Vocalist Dylan and her electric guitar followed with her own hits and others too, with Harry Styles tunes getting the crowd in the mood for the headline acts later in the evening.

Crowds at the festival (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

And while Fabuloso is primarily a music festival, LGBT activist Peter Tatchell took to the stage to share a message with the crowd. 

Peter Tatchell at Pride (Image: Mike Burnell)

He told them to give a "huge cheer" to the "pioneers" of Brighton Pride.

"We have a lot to be proud of, it's 50 years since the first Brighton Pride, so give those pioneers from 1973 a huge cheer," he said.

Zara Larsson at Brighton Pride (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Back to the music where Swedish pop superstar Zara Larsson put on a huge show with backing dancers and a full band.

She took the time to sing with the crowd, bending down from the stage to join starstruck fans in song.

Zara Larsson on stage (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Zara wore an all-white costume with a mini-skirt and cropped top along with a painted rainbow on her arm.

The Lush Life singer left crowds in awe as she belted out hit after hit, leaving big boots to fill for the Black Eyed Peas later in the evening. In fact, thigh-high white boots.

The Black Eyed Peas (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

And so came the big act. But there was a delay and anticipation mounted. The band finally appeared on stage some 20 minutes late.

But they were worth the wait. On top of the music, they brought along a full-blown pyrotechnic, visual and light show.

The crowd became part of the act as they sang along to every word. Roll on night two.

Click here to see our full gallery from the first night.