Nelly Furtado among stars owed money as Manchester Pride collapses into liquidation
– 2 min read
Pop icon Nelly Furtado is among hundreds of performers and suppliers left out of pocket following the collapse of Manchester Pride, one of the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ festivals. The organisation has entered voluntary liquidation, revealing debts totalling more than £1.3 million, with Furtado’s touring company, Nelstar Touring Inc, owed £145,755.75 for her headline performance in August.
The festival, which marked its 40th anniversary this year, drew major acts including Olly Alexander and Leigh-Anne. However, behind the scenes, financial turmoil was brewing. A combination of rising operational costs, declining ticket sales, and an unsuccessful bid to host EuroPride 2028 contributed to the event’s downfall.
Documents released by KR8 Advisory, the firm overseeing the liquidation, show that Manchester Pride had just £269,291 in cash at the time of filing, leaving nearly 200 creditors unpaid. These include security firms, medical services, and grassroots performers, many of whom had signed 30- or 60-day payment terms and have yet to receive compensation.
In a statement, Manchester Pride trustees expressed “sincere regret” over the situation, saying: “We had hoped to be able to find a way to continue, and, most importantly, to support our artists, contractors and partners. Despite our best efforts, sadly, this has not proved to be possible.”
The Charity Commission has launched an investigation into the organisation’s finances, and Equity, the performers’ union, has criticised the delayed payments, calling the situation “hugely concerning”.
Furtado, who recently announced a hiatus from live performances amid online body-shaming, has not publicly commented on the unpaid fees. Her appearance at Manchester Pride was one of her final live shows before stepping back to focus on personal and creative endeavours.
The future of Manchester Pride remains uncertain, with many in the LGBTQ+ community expressing disappointment over what some have called a “betrayal of trust.”
