Aly & AJ Headline their first Pride Festival in Oklahoma City

Article, Coverage + Photography by Victoria Varga

Aly & AJ at OKC Pride 2023 - Image by Victoria Varga

Queer culture in the Midwest is definitely a thing, and Oklahoma City is solid proof of it. The 2023 Pride Festival in OKC highlighted queer joy with a vibrant, colorful celebration of love and acceptance in a city many would never expect to be so out and proud.

Headlining the festival on Friday night were none other than the iconic sister duo Aly & AJ - and Gold Hand Girls were front and center to capture it all. This event was so important to the Oklahoma queer community, as Aly & AJ’s music has been a staple for queer teens and adults alike since their debut album “Into the Rush” came out in 2005, which included hits like “Rush” and “Chemicals React.” This album went certified gold and earned the sisters a spot on the Billboard 200 chart.

Their success continued with the release of their second album “Insomniatic” in 2007, which included the legendary “Potential Breakup Song.” After a hiatus from music, the sisters returned to the scene in 2017 with the release of their EP “Ten Years.” The EP marked a new era for Aly & AJ, showcasing a more mature sound and tackling more serious themes. Their full-length album “A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun” was released in May 2021, featuring the singles “Listen!!!" and “Pretty Places.”

Yet, it’s not just their music that’s impressive. Aly & AJ have been vocal about their support for LGBTQ+ rights and have used their platform to promote inclusivity and equality. They’ve also been open about their struggles with mental health, sharing their experiences in a powerful article with POPSUGAR.

Let me tell you, Aly & AJ did not disappoint during their performance at OKC Pride! The sisters brought out some newer tracks from their latest album “A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up On Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun.” After taking the stage and performing a few songs, Aly stopped and said to the crowd,

“This is our first Pride show! We’ve never played a Pride show! We have played in gay bars, gay clubs, and drag shows… but we have not actually physically played a Pride Show! Honestly, this means so much to us.”

The energy was electric as the crowd sang along to hits like “Joan of Arc on the Dance Floor”, and “ Love You This Way“ , before finishing out the performance with a classic, “Potential Breakup Song”. The whole night was a blast, and Aly & AJ were the perfect headliners to cap off a day of love and celebration. Overall, Oklahoma City’s 2023 Pride Festival was a huge success, showcasing just how powerful and important it is for LGBTQ+ communities to come together and celebrate who we are!