If you’ve been keeping up with the queer music festival scene, you know The Dinah has carved out a legendary spot over the past two decades. And we have Mariah Hanson, the event’s founder and producer, to thank for that. She’s the creative powerhouse behind all the magic, always on top of the music scene trends, and giving us queers what we want.
The festival takes place this September 25th – 29th in Palm Springs, California and they’ve just announced this year’s lineup.
What is The Dinah?
We’re almost 100% certain that all of you will know about The Dinah, however for any of our baby gays out there, or UK-based readers that have been living under a rock, here’s the low down.
The Dinah, also known as The Dinah Shore Weekend, is the largest and most iconic event and music festival for queer women in the world. Held annually in Palm Springs, California, The Dinah has become a global phenomenon, attracting thousands of attendees from around the globe. You will recall an episode in the original L Word where the cast heads to an epic lesbian pool party weekend, and Dana meets Tonya…well that’s The Dinah – it’s a real festival people and we have the low down on this year’s epic line up below.
The Dinah 2024 Line Up
This year’s line-up is nothing short of epic, with a mix of big names and fresh talent ready to entertain. These trailblazing artists are all about breaking boundaries and celebrating queer expression, bringing empowerment anthems and revolutionary vibes to the stage.
Headliners You Can’t Miss
The festival kicks off with one of its main events, The Black and White Ball, headlined by the award-winning Lauren Jauregui. The multi-platinum Cuban American singer-songwriter, formerly of Fifth Harmony, is all about freedom of expression. Her 2021 debut, PRELUDE (AWAL), was a hit, and her latest EP, IN BETWEEN, follows a sold-out Latin American tour. Lauren’s collaborations range from Halsey and Steve Aoki to Ty Dolla $ign, showing her versatile talent and deep connection to the LGBTQ+ community.
Next up, Brooklyn’s own Iniko takes centre stage at the Hollywood Party on Saturday night. This non-binary artist has made waves with their music, amassing over 4 million followers on TikTok. Hits like “The King’s Affirmation” and “Jericho” have earned them over 25 million Spotify streams, a GLAAD Media Award nomination, and a spot on the Billboard charts.
Saturday’s pool party features another exciting act: KiNG MALA. Known for her masculine tropes and defiant lyrics, the LA-based alternative pop artist challenges gender norms and encourages fans to embrace their individuality. Her latest EP, Split Milk, is a testament to her mission.
Lauren Sanderson brings more star power to the Hollywood Party. Her self-love anthem, “They Won’t Like This,” is already making waves ahead of her upcoming third studio album. From her debut album Midwest Kids Can Make It Big to her viral TikTok hit “THERAPY!” and collaborations with queer icon GFLIP, Sanderson’s rise is unstoppable.
Pool Parties and Emerging Artists
The Dinah’s pool parties at the Margaritaville Resort are legendary. The massive pool deck and tropical vibes make it the ultimate queer oasis. Whitney Peyton kicks off the weekend festivities on Friday afternoon. The multi-Billboard-charting rapper has made a name for herself in the underground scene with her independently released albums and electrifying performances.
The Dinah has a long tradition of supporting up-and-coming artists, exemplified by the Emerging Artist Contest. “The Dinah’s musical line-up strives to present the boldest and best in queer or queer-friendly music,” says Mariah Hanson. This contest showcases unsigned artists, giving them exposure and helping them build a fan base. Past contestants like Lucy & La Mer and Sherrelle Holmes, who now headline the Sunday pool party, are perfect examples of its success.
The Dinah Tickets
Head over to The Dinah website for all the info, and tickets.
This article was written by one of our creative team writers here at Nonchalant Magazine.
