Gay London Life | Feb '26 Edition - Magazine - Page 18
Trans Mission:
A Huge Night Out
with a Point
to Prove
On Wednesday 11 March
2026, Mighty Hoopla and
Olly Alexander are throwing
a massive, one-night-only
gig at OVO Arena Wembley
- and it’s not just about the
bangers. Trans Mission is a fullthroated show of love, noise,
and solidarity for the trans
community, with one hell of a
line-up to match.
Adam Lambert
Beth Ditto
Olly Alexander
Let’s be honest - some gigs are just a night out. You dance, you scream the
central to it. Trans Mission is about giving something back, using the platform
chorus, you lose your voice, you forget half of it by the morning. Trans Mission
properly, and reminding people that allyship isn’t about being perfect - it’s
is different. This is one of those nights where you know exactly why you’re
about being present.
there - and why it matters.
Teamed up by Mighty Hoopla and fronted by Olly Alexander, Trans Mission
What we love most about this night is that it isn’t all doom and despair.
Yes, it’s serious. Yes, the stakes are real. But it’s also joyful, messy, loud,
is a huge benefit concert with a very simple message: trans people deserve to
and unapologetically queer. There will be tears, sure - but there will also be
be supported, protected, and celebrated - loudly, visibly, and without apology. All
screaming choruses, unexpected collabs, hands in the air moments, and that
proceeds go to Good Law Project and trans-led charity Not A Phase, both doing
electric feeling you only get when a crowd is properly together.
vital work at a time when things feel… pretty grim out there.
And yes, we all know why this night exists. Our Trans and non-binary friends
Not A Phase founder Dani St James describes the concert as allyship turning
into action - and that feels spot on. The money raised will help secure the future
in the UK are dealing with constant political noise, legal back-and-forth, and
of real, practical support for trans adults across the UK. Good Law Project’s
media dogpiling - while just trying to live their lives. For a lot of us watching from
Jo Maugham puts it another way: trans lives represent possibility - and that’s
the sidelines, it can feel overwhelming, awkward, or hard to know what to do.
something worth defending with everything we’ve got.
This is one of those moments where doing something is as simple as turning up.
This all builds on the recent open letter signed by over 1,000 people across
The line-up alone should be enough to get you on the tube to Wembley.
the UK music industry. Trans Mission is what happens when those words leave
We’re talking Adam Lambert, Beth Ditto, Bimini, Beverley Knight, Christine and
the page and become something physical, sweaty and unforgettable.
the Queens, MNEK, Romy, Sugababes, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Wolf Alice, Tom
So yeah - come for the line-up. Come for the night out. But also come
Grennan, Kae Tempest, Kate Nash, and Olly Alexander - plus plenty more still
because this is one of those moments where turning up actually means
to be announced. It’s pop, indie, queer icons and proper crowd-pleasers all
something.
mashed together in the way Mighty Hoopla does best.
And honestly? I’d rather be part of that crowd than explain later why I wasn’t.
And it’s not just about who’s singing. The night also features appearances
from comedians, writers, actors, and activists who actually show up when it
Date: Wednesday 11 March 2026
counts. No vague statements, no “sending love” from afar - just people putting
Venue: OVO Arena Wembley
their names, faces, and voices behind trans lives.
Tickets & more info: www.transmissionlive.uk
Mighty Hoopla founders Glyn Fussell and Jamie Tagg have said, “This has
been a long time coming - something big enough to feel like a real stand, not just
a gesture”. And honestly, that scale matters. There’s something powerful about
seeing an arena full of people saying, actually, no - we’re not okay with this.
Olly Alexander’s involvement feels just as important. He’s been clear that
trans and non-binary artists aren’t some side note to pop culture - they’re
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