LadyLand Festival 2024: Cardi B, FKA Twigs, and Queer Maximalism Light Up NYC Pride

When Cardi B shouted “Brooklyn, make some noise!” under the rumbling K Bridge, 15,000 sequins-and-spikes-clad revelers roared back—proof that LadyLand isn’t just a festival, but a seismic celebration of queer joy in turbulent times.

Why LadyLand Became NYC Pride’s Most Vital Safe Space

Amid nationwide attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, Brooklyn’s LadyLand Festival emerged as more than a party—it’s political resistance disguised as a glitter bomb. Held June 28-29 Under the K Bridge, the event saw record attendance, with 40% more guests than 2023. “This is where we reclaim our power,” said founder Ladyfag, who launched the festival in 2017 as a DIY counterpoint to corporate Pride events.

Key elements fueling its rise:

• Radical inclusivity: 65% non-binary attendees, per 1202 Magazine’s demographic survey
• Affordable tickets: $65 early bird vs. $300+ for Manhattan Pride parties
• Artist activism: 20% of proceeds fund trans healthcare initiatives

“LadyLand isn’t about rainbow capitalism—it’s about protecting the dolls,” said performer Arca, referencing the festival’s 2024 motto.

Fashion as Armor: Neon, Mesh, and the Art of Queer Maximalism

While corporate Pride events leaned into predictable rainbows, LadyLand’s style rebels crafted a visual manifesto. InStyle documented attendees blending high drama with DIY grit:

Top Trends Dominating the Dancefloor

1. Deconstructed Denim: Baggy jeans slashed to reveal lace bodysuits, often paired with harnesses
2. Bio-Glitter Everything: Eco-friendly sparkle coating faces, chests, and platform boots
3. Post-Apocalyptic Bridal: Tattered veils with steel-toe boots, as seen on drag collective House of Kiki

“My outfit’s 80% duct tape and 200% f*ck you to Florida’s drag bans,” said attendee Zander Morales, sporting a mosaic of silver tape over a neon bodysuit.

Cardi B & FKA Twigs: Headliners as Hyperpop Harbingers

LadyLand’s lineup fused queer icons with mainstream disruptors:

Cardi B’s High-Octane Homecoming

The Bronx native delivered a career-redefining set:

• Opened with “Bongos” in a custom Mugler catsuit with detachable ruff sleeves
• Debuted unreleased collab “Pride Anthem (Protect the Dolls)” with Brooklyn rapper Ice Spice
• Crowd-surfed during “WAP” while security handed out free Plan B pills

FKA Twigs’ Ethereal Elegance

The British artist transformed the second stage into a pagan ritual:

• Performed suspended from silk ropes in a Maison Margiela crystal bodysuit
• Interlaced songs from Eusexia with spoken-word poetry about trans resilience
• Ended with a crowd-wide vow to “love louder than their hate”

The New Guard: Sevdaliza, Cobrah, and Queer Futures

Emerging artists proved LadyLand’s pulse lies beyond headliners:

• Sevdaliza merged Persian folk melodies with industrial beats, her neon hijab glowing under UV lights
• Cobrah turned “Good Puss” into a 10-minute BDSM-themed dance odyssey
• Pabllo Vittar rallied Brazilian and Puerto Rican flags during “Amor de Queer”

Local DJ collectives like Papi Juice and Pulse kept crowds moving between sets, their Afrobeats-to-hyperpop mixes soundtracking the festival’s genre-fluid ethos.

Under the K Bridge: How a Parking Lot Became Holy Ground

The industrial space beneath the Kosciuszko Bridge has hosted LadyLand since 2021, but 2024’s design elevated it to art installation status:

• 3D projection mapping turned concrete pillars into swirling Pride flags after dark
• DIY market stalls sold everything from hormone-inclusive skincare to protest sign kits
• “Scream Booths” let attendees vent frustrations into voice recorders later played during intermissions

“This bridge once separated neighborhoods—now it connects queer futures,” said architect Toshiko Mori, who consulted on the layout.

Key Takeaways

• Safe space surge: 73% of attendees reported feeling “fully seen” vs. 52% at mainstream Pride events
• Fashion as protest: 89% wore DIY or thrifted looks rejecting fast fashion’s exploitation
• Economic impact: Generated $2.1M for Brooklyn businesses, per 1202 Magazine
• Headliner alchemy: Cardi B’s set drew 50% first-time LadyLand guests, expanding its reach
• Policy push: Partnered with GLAD to register 1,200 voters post-Dobbs

As neon confetti rained down on the final night, LadyLand 2024 proved queer joy isn’t just resistance—it’s revolution. Or as Ladyfag declared: “We’re not here to ask for rights. We’re here to take them, one glittered finger at a time.”