Curated by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Vicki Randle, the Pride 2025 Concert on June 29 at The Freight in Berkeley will celebrate the remarkable depth, breadth, talent and community-gathering power of queer, nonbinary, transgendered and cisgendered women and predominantly Black musicians.
Backed by Skip The Needle — the all-female band that includes Randle, Shelley Doty, Kofy Brown and Katie Cash — guest artists will include Linda Tillery, Valerie Troutt, Pangaea Colter, B DeVeaux, Genesis Fermin, Diana Alvarez, Black Gold Sun, Tribe 8 and more.
Randle’s professional career of more thans 50 years began with Branford Marsalis hiring her as a percussionist for NBC’s Tonight Show Band. Public recognition quickly branched to include her vocals, guitar-playing, command of multiple styles and genres and songwriting. The diversity of skills led to more than 50 album credits and solid engagements working with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples, George Benson, Wayne Shorter, Lionel Richie, Kenny Loggins and Sheila E, among others.
“One of the things I looked for and found when I thought about asking people to do these performances is that all of these artists come from a beautiful, heart-centered place,” Randle says. “There seems to be a thread running through all of their work. In all of these people I chose, they’re saying something very clearly about how they respect and uplift the best in all of humanity.
“Most could be called activists as well. There’s a place where we all connect in our belief in people’s basic humanity, commitment to justice, commitment to community,” she says. “They’re not only fantastic performers, artists, and songwriters; they’re chosen because of their personhood.”
While issuing invitations to participate and sketching out the program, Randle says her focus extended to other considerations.
“I wanted to uplift women, especially Black women and trans, nonbinary people,” she says. “I wanted to draw out musicians in the East Bay. A lot of times when presenting something with word ‘queer’ over it, people forget the incredible breadth in the Black and queer community. I wanted to show preference, to ‘cheat’ towards Black musicians. It’s kind of my mission in life.”
Randle insists that the message within that frame is not to be force-fed.
“I’m not pushing music at people,” she says. “The point is to draw them in, invite them into this experience, expand their musical vocabulary, be part of this place.”
Randle says she believes that by collectively “standing in our own power” during a time when “America is crashing down,” marginalized people make evident their versatility, emotional readiness and maturity and history of “finding each other and holding each other up” in the face of oppositional forces.
Asked to highlight the dynamics embodied by several of the artists, she puts the aforementioned Linda Tillery in the spotlight.
“Linda has legendary status. She’s the Oakland, Bay Area, queer, women’s music trailblazer. She’s been in this for nearly 60 years. She can’t walk well anymore and performs in a wheelchair, but I defy anyone to not have their face melted off with the power she commands when she opens her mouth.”
Randle says the group Tribe 8 has recently reunited after having been “the most badass band in the ’80s. With two trans men and a woman, they were cutting-edge and as punk as could be found. “They were an insane band and left that door open for others. I expect them to shred some faces at the Freight.”
Faces notwithstanding, other musicians offer notable attributes, says Randle. Valerie Troutt tilts toward R&B, bringing a powerful, dynamic gospel sensibility that creates instant community. Pangaea Colter is a trans woman Skip The Needle first encountered performing as part of the the band in at Berkeley theater company Shotgun Players’ production of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Colter played the lead role and, Randle says, has “an amazing voice and larger-than-life performance skills,” leaving her to say, “I have no idea what she’s going to do other than a song from ‘Hedwig’ and one other.”
Also featured will be performer and singer-songwriter B DeVeaux, who identifies as nonbinary.
“They are Neo-Soul. It’s a gorgeous, big sound, especially considering they only play guitar and sing solo.”
Genesis Fermin, also in the lineup, writes and sings intensely personal and emotional songs that Randle says become universal when the words “reach inside of you with something that tells your story.” Diana Alvarez is Fermin’s partner and also a solo artist who sings in Spanish and English.
“The two of them weave beautiful melodies together. Beauty is a subjective concept,” says Randle. “For me, it’s when the sound aligns with the feeling or the words the songwriter is trying to evoke. There’s nothing more powerful. When it makes you feel something — anger, joy, sadness, grief, or whatever it is — that’s the beauty of a melody.”
Black Gold Sun is a new punk band.
“The band Shelley and Kofy were in before Skip The Needle and establishing their own bands was a band called Sistas in the Pit. Anita (Lofton) started that with them and has now started a new trio,” says Randle. “I wanted to show the full spectrum of music we’re involved in and the many ways we express ourselves.”
As the backup band, Skip The Needle’s expressivity will be guided by practices involving versatility, deep listening and a certain amount of ego-dropping without forfeiting the group’s obvious prowess.
“When you’re a side person, the highest priority is helping that person to feel comfortable. It means stepping to the side a little bit, setting outside ego,” she says.
Members of the band can be identified as either drummer, guitarist, or bassist — all are vocalists and songwriters — but what Randle says is “really lovely” is that drummer Brown can play bass, Randle can fill in on acoustic guitar as well as bass, and so on. “We can hand supporting artists off, depending on who backs up a solo artist or band. Each of us will do our own solo sets too.”
Ultimately, Randle says the concert demonstrates for “people just joining this show” that when Black and queer musicians stand in their own power projecting community, people feel inspired, invigorated and enriched. “It helps us see the humanity in each other,” she concludes. “I’m not a fighter, but through music I can show how powerful we are.”
For tickets to and details about The Freight’s Pride 2025 Concert, visit bit.ly/freightpride2025 online.
Lou Fancher is a freelance writer. Reach her at lou@johnsonandfancher.com.