Kehlani Will Headline SoSF, a New Pride Festival in San Francisco

Oakland-grown queer R&B star Kehlani just announced that they’re headlining a brand-new Pride festival called SoSF, which is coming to San Francisco’s Pier 80 on June 28.

Pier 80 is the same industrial location that hosts the massive Portola Festival in the fall, so imagine a huge rager with a backdrop of shipping cranes and warehouses festooned with rainbow flags and disco balls.

Joining Kehlani in the lineup is German pop star Kim Petras, who recently made history as the first trans singer with a No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 with her feature on Sam Smith’s “Unholy.” “Nasty” hitmaker Tinashe and reality TV-star-turned-singer Heidi Montag, who recently headlined the San Francisco party Fake and Gay, are also on the bill, along with rapper FineAss Lanecia.

Fake and Gay’s founder Adam Kraft will spin at SoSF, along with DJs Tinzo + Jojo and Noodles (who is Kehlani’s tour DJ). Local staples San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and Nicki Jizz’s drag show Reparations will also grace the stage.

Organized by Kehlani, the Midway, Non Plus Ultra and XOXO, SoSF arrives during a challenging time for the LGBTQ+ community. With a presidential administration that’s openly hostile to trans people and diversity efforts, San Francisco Pride is struggling to find corporate sponsors for this year’s festival and parade. And while celebrating might not be top of mind for many at a time when trans civil rights are under attack, the LGBTQ+ community has a long history of using the dance floor as a place to connect and gather strength in difficult moments.

SoSF is a party with a purpose: a portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Lyric Center for LGBTQQ+ Youth, which provides educational, health, job and housing services to vulnerable young people.

Presale tickets for SoSF go on sale on April 9 at 10 a.m.