Mighty Hoopla is back, and it’s bigger, bolder, and more fabulous than ever! This iconic festival, known for its vibrant celebration of inclusivity, nostalgia, and infectious energy, has become a must-attend event in London’s summer calendar. Founded in 2016 by Glyn Fussell and Jamie Tagg, Mighty Hoopla has grown into a glittering, joyous haven where festivalgoers can let loose whilst embracing their true selves. With a mix of pop, R&B, garage, and throwback anthems, Mighty Hoopla is not just about music, it’s a full-on party, a space for creativity, self-expression, and unapologetic fun.
Every year, the festival brings together a diverse crowd to celebrate queer culture with high-octane performances from some of the biggest and brightest stars in the industry. This year, fans can look forward to performances from legendary acts like Ciara, Kesha, JoJo, and Vengaboys, alongside a host of emerging talent ready to set the stage on fire. Whether you’re into nostalgic pop hits or cutting-edge R&B grooves, there’s something for everyone at Mighty Hoopla—and it’s all about creating an inclusive environment where you can be your most authentic self.
Ahead of the festival, I had the privilege of speaking to the people behind the magic, Glyn and Jamie, who shared with me the inspiration behind Mighty Hoopla, how it’s evolved over the years, and what makes this year’s lineup so exciting. Get ready to dive into an exclusive chat about how the festival has become a defining moment in queer culture and why it continues to be the ultimate celebration of music, love, and acceptance.
From its pop roots to its love for all things LGBTQIA+, Mighty Hoopla feels like a party with a purpose. Where did that original vibe come from, what’s your secret sauce for making it so unforgettable each year?
Glyn: There are so many things that make up Mighty Hoopla, it’s wrapped in a massive pop bow, but it’s so much more. Essentially, it’s a celebration of all the things we find joy in as queer people. Dancing with our friends in a safe space, wearing whatever we want, Voguing as the sun goes down, spotting A-listers dancing to Steps, Empowering Trans speeches on stage, surprise special guests, creativity and camp camaraderie, we do it all and we take it very seriously. It’s our yearly Love Letter to everybody that adores it so much.
You’ve built such a colourful and inclusive space; how do you make sure the festival is as fabulous as possible for everyone involved?
Glyn: We never stop trying to push the envelope of what a festival can look like; safety is paramount to us and to make people feel safe enough to be their most fabulous selves takes a lot of work. We have a very queer and female led workforce who understand this community, we employ a queer security team, and we really make sure that we include everybody. Inclusion is more than your gender or sexuality and we want to make sure the festival is truly for everybody.
With so many incredible artists out there, what’s your process for picking the perfect lineup?
Glyn: Honestly, it takes year-round work, BUT it’s a dream to put together what I would say is one of the most diverse, eclectic festival lineups out there. We never get bogged down by what is “cool” we ask ourselves “is this fun?” or “will this make people smile?” and if it’s a yes, we go for it. We are also so lucky to have a community that tells us what they like and who they want to see. The amount of times I will be out and I see a fierce crop-topped queen strutting towards me only to scream “Heidi Montag” in my face and then walk away is, well, too many times to count…
We’re all thinking about the planet these days, what cool eco-friendly moves is Mighty Hoopla making to keep things green while we party?
Jamie: We were one of the first major festivals in the UK to move to cans only at our main bars. The removal of ice (and the energy needed by ice machines) was a decision we made a few years back to massively reduce our carbon footprint and something our crowd now completely accepts. We are also proud to send 0% of our waste to landfill with even our drinking cups are 100% fully biodegradable, along with our food servings, confetti (and glitter of course!).
The festival always surprises us with epic performances so what act or moment are you most excited about this year, and why?
Jamie: We’re building a whole new section of the site this year called “The Gaybourhood” which will house tree intimate style venues ranging from a country and western circus tent, to a speakeasy style bar set in car garage. This has allowed us to programme so much content that we love such as cabaret, comedy, karaoke and even line dancing. I don’t want to give too much away but can’t wait to see it come alive.
It’s not just about the music! How do you create that magical, immersive atmosphere that makes Mighty Hoopla feel like a whole new world?
Jamie: You can’t let yourself go if you’re worried about something. So one of our main aims has always been to not only welcome but celebrate everyone who walks through our gates. We do a lot of work to make sure the right people work on the show. If they don’t fit the bill or understand what Hoopla is all about, we send them home. It’s as simple as that. It can take as little as one action, one word, even one side eye to affect someone’s confidence and we don’t want any of that on our watch, thank you!
Do you have any exciting plans or fun surprises in store for the future of the festival?
Glyn: YES, our community travels and grows and so we want to reflect that… I can say no more than that!!! My fake lips are sealed.
Mighty Hoopla is taking place on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June at Brockwell Park, London. For more information, go to www.mightyhoopla.com.
Words by Ama Samra
Photography Luke Dyson and Louise Bennett
