The coronavirus pandemic has changed everything, and that includes how we’re all celebrating Pride in 2020.

With huge public gatherings out of the question, we’re asking a range of LGBTQ celebrities and allies for their personal Pride anthems, to help us all get into the Pride spirit from lockdown.

Sharing the queer artists that most inspire her today is British singer-songwriter Arlo Parks, who last month won critical acclaim when she debuted her single, Black Dog.

In her My Pride Anthems interview, the Sound Of 2020 contender reveals the songs that make her personal Pride playlist, and discusses how The Internet singer Syd helped her realise her own dream of performing…

Lava La Rue – Widdit

“Lava La Rue is a queer artist, she’s young, and I’m fortunate enough to be friends with her. I feel like she really represents the variety that exists within music by queer artists, and it just makes me feel really powerful.

“For some reason, Widdit has this sense of nostalgia to me. It just reminds me of a lot of the R&B music that I was listening to growing up. For me, there’s a sense of comfort to it, I listen to it when I’m in a strange mood, and it always grounds me. And also, this was the first song of hers that I heard, so it has that sentimental value.”

Frank Ocean – Ivy

“Frank Ocean is one of my favourite artists of all time. I remember when I read his open letter, I think it’s one of the most powerful things I’ve ever read.

“I’m very into music that is vulnerable, and emotional, and I really appreciate that. And to see a queer artist have such a large platform and be able to touch so many people, and make music so visceral and personal, it’s really amazing.”

Janelle Monáe – Make Me Feel

“Firstly, this song just makes me feel like a badass. And secondly, I remember when I went to Glastonbury, and being blown away by her confidence and being inspired also by hearing about her story of, like, gradually working up to coming out and her background and stuff. I just find her very inspiring.

“Again, her music does hark back to some of the older queer icons, but at the same time there’s this uniqueness to how she approaches and what she makes.”

Snail Mail – Thinning

“I’ve always had a soft spot for kind of indie rock music, and it just reminds me of when I was younger and my first few crushes, and that feeling of being slightly confused and excited and not really being sure what’s going on.

“Crunchy guitar music has always got a special place in my heart. I’m really into it.” 

The Internet, feat. Kaytranada – Girl

“When I was growing up, I was always kind of looking towards trying to find other Black queer women who were making music, and I think Syd was one of the first person people that I really latched onto and connected to.

“I remember seeing The Internet live when I was a little bit younger and that was one of the moments where I realised that this was something that I really wanted to do, and that I could do. So I really love The Internet.”

Watch the music video for Arlo Parks’ Black Dog below: