QUEER AS FUNK
Not your typical dance band, Queer As Funk are part-advocates, part-funk-revivalists, and have been turning stages into dance floors and audiences into family for over a decade. ​
As one of the few predominantly queer bands in Canada, they offer more than just a great night out: at their core, Queer As Funk uses music as a tool for visibility, pride, and the radical celebration of the queer experience.
​
Born from a desire to bring vibrant funk and soul to Vancouver’s queer community, Queer As Funk is dedicated to gathering and taking up space—especially in smaller or more isolated areas. The band has become a beacon in the 2SLGBTQI+ community, putting on high-energy live shows where diversity is celebrated and all are welcome.
​
Queer As Funk has played stages across Canada, including six sold-out headlining shows at Vancouver's legendary Commodore Ballroom—a venue that has hosted legends like Tina Turner and David Bowie. In recognition of their impact, they’ve even been ordained as saints by the worldwide ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’, for “creating positive changes in our world by honoring the Mind, Body, and Spirit.” The group’s individual members are consummate musicians in their own right, having collectively performed with artists like Serena Ryder, Tegan and Sara, Dan Mangan, and Ken Boothe.
​
Bringing fresh takes to beloved classics in funk, soul, and Motown, Queer As Funk’s powerful vocals, tight horn arrangements, and irresistible rhythm section make each performance as groovy as it is fun. Their arrangements are creative, their vibe is pure celebration, and their love for each other is palpable, adding depth to the onstage dynamic that models the concept of chosen family.
​
In 2024, Queer As Funk released their debut studio album, recorded at Vancouver’s Hipposonic Studios. More than just a collection of tracks, the album serves as a celebration of Canada’s queer identity, With this release, Queer As Funk amplifies the songs and stories of queer artists.
​
In describing her work with the band, singer Jocelyn MacDougall says: “We believe that the radical power of queer friendship can help knit our communities back together during these divisive times. By building loving relationships of all kinds—friendship, neighborly, and even acquaintance love—across lines of difference, we can strengthen our ability to care for each other.”