As W London and Sounds Queer join forces for a special Pride edition of the AMPLIFIED series, we catch up with two of the night’s standout performers, Beks and Benedict Cork, to talk queerness, creativity and claiming space on stage.

As Pride celebrations kick off across the capital, a lineup of some of the industry’s most exciting queer talent is ready to take over London with a show like no other. Leading the charge is W London’s signature AMPLIFIED series, returning for a special Pride edition in collaboration with the iconic platform Sounds Queer – a collective dedicated to uplifting LGBTQIA+ musicians. Together, they’re set to electrify the streets of Soho with a night of genre-bending, joy-fuelled performances.

 

Since launching in February, W London’s AMPLIFIED series has spotlighted rising stars from across the globe, creating a space for bold, boundary-pushing sound – from electronica to alt-pop and beyond. This Pride edition takes over The Perception Bar in the heart of Leicester Square, with a lineup as eclectic as it is powerful. Expect sets from legendary DJ Princess Julia, hype queen Beks, pop powerhouse Benedict Cork, soul star Justin Peng and more – all championed by Sounds Queer, a platform that has fast become a vital force for queer music year-round.

 

Ahead of the show, we caught up with two of the night’s standout performers, Beks and Benedict Cork, to talk Pride, performance, and what it means to take up space as queer artists today.

You’re performing together for W London’s special Pride edition of AMPLIFIED – how would you describe the energy and message you’re hoping to bring to this performance?

Beks: My message is that we’re going to get through it, no matter what, and we’re going to look hot doing it. Even amongst the glitz and glamour of show business, sleeping on couches, cheap food and overflowing toilets, there’s always room for an outsider.

 

Benedict: It feels incredibly special performing for W London at London Pride. This year, Pride feels important as ever, especially considering the attacks on the trans community recently. To be gathered in a room full of queer people celebrating our community will be beautiful.

As two very distinct artists with bold solo identities, what drew you to collaborate with Sounds Queer, which has become a powerful platform in such a short space of time.

Beks: I immediately had a great connection when I first met Toby Corton (Sounds Queer). As to quote Miley Cyrus “It’s the climb” that brings the determined divas together. I’m so excited to bring my club pop to the W after a really successful European Tour and performance at Mighty Hoopla this year.

 

Benedict: I heard about Sounds Queer earlier this year and immediately fell in love. Queer music is often bundled together into one subgenre, but queer music can take so many different forms. Having a platform like this to showcase queer pop, queer dance, queer disco and other forms of storytelling from queer creatives feels important and powerful.

How has being involved with Sounds Queer influenced your work – and your sense of belonging in the industry?

Beks: On a street full of seemingly closed doors, Sounds Queer are arriving at a doorstep of a rainbow-coloured house with a “welcome home” door mat. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.

 

Benedict: Queer representation in mainstream music is still hard to come by. Growing up, I didn’t have many queer artists to look up to. That’s changing now and discovering new artists through Sounds Queer’s platform is helping massively. I’m excited to watch other artists like Beks, Justin Peng and Bestley perform on the night and to take inspiration from their work.

Your music speaks to different dimensions of queerness – from emotional storytelling to full-blown empowerment. How do your approaches to writing and performing reflect your identities?

Beks: My music and performance are OTT joy and expression. It’s confidence on steroids. Performing is a spotlight for my uniqueness to shine in.

 

Benedict: I’m all about emotional storytelling, and I love that – it’s how I express myself and my identity. My debut album, Notes On A Hopeless Romance, came out last year and it was dedicated to queer love. We’re dropping the deluxe version on the day of the Sounds Queer Show. It feels fitting celebrating it in a room full of beautiful queer people.

W London’s AMPLIFIED series is all about celebrating self-expression in the heart of Soho. How does it feel to be part of a programme that intentionally centres queer creativity – not just during Pride, but with substance?

Beks: To me queer is all year. It goes beyond acceptance and minorities having their moment; it’s about giving uniqueness a centre stage every day. I don’t have to fit in, but I definitely want to stand out!

 

Benedict: I’ve recently noticed a flurry of support from companies during Pride month, which is beautiful to see. But platforms like W London’s AMPLIFIED and Sounds Queer – that do the work all year-round – are so important. They remind people that Pride isn’t just a buzzword for companies to trade off for one month of the year. Queer people have always existed, and exist year-round, they deserve to be supported and always amplified.

You’ve both played everywhere from SXSW to the Royal Albert Hall to Amsterdam Pride. What’s one performance moment that’s stayed with you – and how does this AMPLIFIED set fit into that journey?

Beks: Hearing 5000 people singing my song ‘All The Good Boys Are Gay’ in Amsterdam Square is a memory that continues to fuel my journey. Essentially the message of that song is about allyship and queer celebration. It’s a beautiful thing to hear so many people connecting with that.

 

Benedict: One of my first headline shows was at Hoxton Hall in London. It was the first time I had an audience singing the lyrics back to me, so the memories have stuck with me since. I’m returning to Hoxton Hall on July 24th to play a show that celebrates the release of my deluxe album. This AMPLIFIED set is the perfect way to test out some new material ahead of the show.

Beyond the music, you’ve each carved out space in wider creative scenes – whether through fashion, visuals or community building. What role does collaboration and creative freedom play in what you’re doing right now?

Beks: Creative freedom to me means disarming limitations and turning my wild ideas into a reality. For example, this year I thought about teaching dance classes to the choreography of my songs around the world and one month later I’m selling out dance masterclasses in Amsterdam, London and Berlin. Collaborating with creatives, whether that’s writing a song together or working alongside collectives, brings a sense of community around the work I do. When I win, we all win.

 

Benedict: Collaboration is one of my favourite parts about being a musician, especially when it’s across different art forms that I don’t have as much experience in. Recently, I’ve been working on music for a queer play called Four Play. It’s been such a fun process working with a cast and crew of talented queer creatives on something new and outside of my comfort zone. Writing from someone else’s perspective brings a whole new kind of creative freedom.

If this Pride performance had a soundtrack or visual aesthetic – outside of your actual setlist – what would it look and feel like? Paint the picture.

Beks: It would look and taste like Tanghulu; fruit coats in hardened sugar syrup, a delicious and photogenic snack.

 

Benedict: It would feel like an ice-cold Aperol spritz on a sweaty summer evening at golden hour.

What advice would you give to younger queer artists trying to take up space and define success on their own terms?

Beks: This is probably one of the toughest businesses out there; it’s not for the faint-hearted. All that glitz and glamour is held together by tape, wig glue, dried tears and sweat. I cope by thinking of this industry as a pendulum; when you’re down, the only way is up, but when you’re up, you enjoy it because it won’t last long.

 

Benedict: Be relentless in your self-belief and perseverance. Success is ultimately what you define it to be. When I was 15, my only goal was to be a professional musician, so everything I’ve achieved since feels like a bonus.

Finally, what’s next for both of you – and what should we be keeping our ears open for post-W London?

Beks: I’ll be celebrating the release of my new EP Hard Gloss on the W stage and keep your eyes out for me on a billboard in London! In July, I’m heading to Amsterdam to perform ‘All The Good Boys Are Gay’ with the Amsterdam Gay Man’s Chorus and Amsterdam Pride.

 

Benedict: I’m deep in writing mode for my second album, which has been fun. But I’m most excited for the Hoxton Hall show this month. Playing live is my favourite thing in the world, so I can’t wait to sing my little heart out after a few months of being a studio rat.

Watch Beks and Benedict Cork at Pride on July 4th for free via the guest list on DICE: AMPLIFIED ft. Sounds Queer.