As Wireless Festival turns 20 years old, the Finsbury Park staple celebrated by releasing its star-studded anniversary line-up last month.
Since its Hyde Park debut back in 2005, the festival has become synonymous with UK Hip-Hop and R&B, showcasing both rising talent and established stars. Here we run through some iconic moments that have shaped the festival over the last two decades.
1. Flaming Lips performance at the first ever Wireless festival
The festival’s first edition saw flamboyant US music stars ‘The Flaming Lips’ claiming that they’re not like other bands, they’re different. Instead of bursting their bubble, the lead singer decided to get in one. Yes, that’s right, Wayne Coyne decided to crowd surf whilst in a giant inflatable bubble. The eccentricity didn’t quite stop there, since Coyne decided also to wear giant paper-mâché hands, danced with inflatable space men (as you do), and delivered a rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ whilst dressed as Santa Claus. It seems the late Freddie Mercury may have some competition.
2. Jay Z brings out Rihanna
He may have 99 problems but bringing out the ‘Umbrella’ star at Wireless certainly wasn’t one. In 2013, Jay Z headlined the festival on Saturday showcasing all of his hits in a truly memorable set. His appearance marked his only live performance of that year and boy was it a good one. One of the biggest surprises of the night was Jay Z inviting Rihanna on stage to perform ‘Run This Town’, highlighting both the dynamic versatility of the Brooklyn-born rapper and his iconic collaboration with the Caribbean popstar.
3. Kanye West’s rant in 2014
A Kanye rant – yes, another one. This came at a time when his outbursts were ever-so-slightly less expected and contributed to a set much unlike any other. The ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing’ rapper walked onto the stage wearing a metal mask and launched into a 20-minute tirade on the subject of creative freedom, during which he both insulted Nike and simultaneously praised his then-wife Kim Kardashian. Perhaps understandably, the crowd proceeded to heckle and boo him: it’s safe to say it wasn’t quite the rap performance they were expecting when they booked their tickets. Not only this, Drake fell ill and had to cancel his headline slot the following night, meaning that Kanye had another night to unleash all of his thoughts and opinions on a disappointed crowd.
4. Jessie J’s performance in 2015
In 2015, Jessie J showed that she is worth the price tag she demands for her performances. The London-born singer had been advised by her doctors to cancel her performances following medical treatment only weeks before. She fought to be able to take to the stage, and subsequently wowed the Wireless crowds with a stellar performance of all her hits, taking them down one by one like a ‘Domino’. The sense that her ill health would deter her from the spotlight made for an even more iconic performance.
5. The return of Craig David
A renaissance like no other! The iconic Garage singer returned to the fore of the music scene in 2016 and the Wireless stage was set for him to re-rewind us back to the days of the beloved Born to Do It album. Nostalgia was in the air and Craig David was on the stage taking everyone back in time with all the hits, from ‘7 Days’ to ‘Fill Me In’. The Islington stage brought the King of Garage back where he belonged.
Islington-based journalist with experience at the London Evening Standard. Covering local politics, community issues, arts, and development. Focused on delivering clear, accurate reporting on the stories shaping Islington.