A controversial approach for the festival's 20th anniversary, but a wise choice was made…
It was the evening before Wireless, and preparations were underway at Finsbury Park. Drake was transforming the area into an arena for his three-day headline event, marking 20 years of the Wireless Festival.
When the initial announcement came earlier this year, tickets disappeared faster than ever. The only acts revealed were Drake throughout the festival and a couple of performances each day, hinting at the weekend's vibe; Friday was designated for R&B, Saturday for UK rap, and Sunday for dancehall and afrobeats. This gave attendees a sense of what to anticipate – or so one would think.
—
—
Wireless has a tendency to leave things until the last minute, with the complete lineup only disclosed days before the festival commenced. Many were dissatisfied with the limited number of artists each day and rushed to sell their tickets, but the news shouldn't have come as a shock. It was evident from the beginning that this was not a typical Wireless event; it wasn't a ‘20 artists per day over 3 stages’ setup. Drake was at the helm, and we were following his lead, which I was perfectly fine with.
The Wireless audience is known for being youthful and energetic (for a London festival), and although the average age remained around 20, the atmosphere was notably relaxed. The 30-degree heatwave likely tempered any unruly behavior, while plenty of scantily-clad attendees mingled with a significant number of festival-goers in their 30s, contributing a degree of maturity to the event.
—
—
With only two stages this year, the venue was further filled with brand activations. However, the Hennessy Social Club emerged as a genuine enhancement to the day, rather than merely a marketing gimmick. Located off the main path and featuring ample outdoor space, Hennessy presented a vibrant red container spanning two levels. The ground floor offered a bar serving Hennessy cocktails, comfortable seating, and a golf putting game where guests could win a branded bucket hat. Upstairs housed the DJ booth and an area for VIPs to enjoy a view of the festival. With an impressive DJ lineup and an MC guiding the event, it turned into a genuine party that people were eager to enter at all times. Even those unable to get inside were dancing outside, captivated by the exceptional music. Surprise guests, including Alesha Dixon and Michael Ward, ensured it was the exclusive spot to be.
Saturday celebrated the richness of UK rap, showcasing a diverse range of artists across the two stages. Rising star Nemzzz took the main stage, and despite an early time slot, he drew a substantial crowd. He performed with the confidence of a veteran artist, effortlessly navigating his tracks.
On the Old Spice stage, Chy Cartier appeared 20 minutes late and seemed a bit anxious. It was unclear if her microphone was just low, but it seemed she relied heavily on the backing track, even though her energy and excitement were evident.
Lancey Foux on the main stage attracted a large audience, and even though he only delivered every other line, the fans loved his high-energy performance that utilized the vast stage.
But the standout performance of the day (besides Drake) came from BBK. Also commemorating two decades in the music scene, their hour-long set started with DJ Maximum on the decks, fully in his element. BBK members emerged one by one as their tracks or verses played, beginning with JME, followed by Shorty, Frisco, Jammer, and, of course, Skepta. We enjoyed numerous solo tracks from JME and Frisco, in addition to Skepta and BBK classics like ‘Too Many Man’ and ‘That’s Not Me’. Skepta also showcased his latest release ‘Victory Lap’, which resonated strongly with the Wireless audience. The visuals added a dynamic aspect, with artists on stage set against vibrant backgrounds and original videos playing on a central screen as BBK gave their local fans a proper homecoming.
Then the moment arrived for the main event. Drake emphasized that the night was centered on UK rap, asserting that it was time to celebrate, leaving behind the melodic R&B performances from the previous day. And for the most part, this held true.
He stepped onto the stage with Yeat, both clad in matching Chrome Heart ponchos (not the most British way to kick things off) and quickly introduced underground rapper Fakemink, who, given his emerging status, managed to hold his own on stage. Drake then welcomed Headie One and K-Trap, both strong representatives of the genre, before diving into collaborations with other artists. Unsurprisingly, but always a treat, was J Hus, who joined him for ‘Who Told You’. Skepta made a reappearance for ‘Shutdown’, filling a notable gap from BBK’s set that hinted at another performance.
Next was Dave, who came out for ‘Wanna
The Norwegian singer is presently engaged in a series of festival performances, which include appearances at Latitude, Y Not, and the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Even before the music begins, there's an excitement in the air of Madrid. The eighth edition of Mad Cool seems to signify more than just an achievement—it's a testament to a
The Belfast group Kneecap has announced plans for a series of major headline shows across the UK this November. The band has navigated a tumultuous summer, with a
Luvcat, an alumna of DIY’s Class of 2025, has revealed the details of her debut album titled ‘Vicious Delicious.’ The album is scheduled for release on Halloween, specifically on October 31st, through AWAL, and she has also unveiled the title track from the album.
J-Pop newcomers 美麗-Bi-ray- have released their debut single ‘Butterfly’ in its entirety. The four-member group is quickly becoming a name to watch in
The German production duo Modeselektor will curate the newest DJ-Kicks mix. This mix series is regarded as one of the most prestigious platforms in club culture, a tradition of
A contentious approach for the 20th anniversary, yet the correct decision was reached... It was the evening before Wireless, and at the border of Finsbury Park, the stage