Thousands stayed to dance into the night after the family festivities of the island’s first Pride festival had ended.

A line-up featuring some of the island’s best bands, a lights show and even an impromptu display of fire-breathing made the night a memorable one as the crowds in the Villa Marina gardens enjoyed every last minute of the Isle of Pride festival.

Playing to a back drop of rainbow lights, the funk and jazz group Lava, led by singers Christy DeHaven and Jack Divers, performed as colourful streamers were fired into the air, with the gypsy folk group The Fecktones playing before.

Local drag acts Vida LaFierce and Fenella Beach performed on the stage, along with several choirs, including the 110-strong Rainbow choir and the Rainbow ensemble, both led by Gareth Moore, singing harmonious and uplifting songs to the crowd.

Earlier on, the vocal trio, the Reveillettes warmed the crowd up before a much anticipated reunion of the pop-punk group Twisted Angels.

Featuring three original members, Laura Moore, Ami Faragher and Steph Chambers, helped out by Stephen Carter on cajone, the group brought back memories from almost 10 years ago with a set of original songs and covers.

’I can’t put into words how important pride was for our little rock or how honoured and lucky I feel to have been able to march through the street and play with the girls,’ said Ami, who is a member of the island’s LGBTQ+ community and organises regular Pride nights at her pub, the Saddle Inn, in Douglas.

The evening also heard from Ki Griffin, a non-binary actor who stars in Hollyoaks, who spoke about their experiences identifying as intersex and non-binary and the importance of representation in the TV and media.

Photographer Steve Babb ended the night with a display of fire-breathing.