Down to the Wire: a Wireless Festival 2012 preview
Who to see in Hyde Park this weekend...
Photographer:Shirlaine Forrest
Chris Eustace - 04 July 2012
In recent times, its concentrated more on the big names of Dance, R’n’B, and hip-hop, and with Deadmau5, Drake and Rihanna on headlining duties this year, it’s ticked all those boxes pretty emphatically, with a pretty heavyweight support bill across several stages across the three days too.
Let us take you through the Wireless 2012 bill-toppers, plus, looking down the line-up, a further treat that you should do your best to catch if you’re heading down there.
Friday
Headliner: deadmau5
There’s a mesmerising light show, and some of the most forward-thinking electronica in the business. All delivered by a man sporting a giant mouse (or mau5?) head. What’s not to like? There’ll be drops to die for as beats whirl around in the Park – it’s definitely going to be an experience.
But don’t miss… The Roots
The greatest live hip-hop band ever. Fact. Headed up by MC Black Thought and peerless drummer ?uestlove, if you haven’t managed to see them yet, make sure you don’t miss their Main Stage performance here. Name a hip-hop/R’n’B legend, they’ll have played with them, and they have 10 quality albums to pick a set from. Go see, you won’t regret it.
Saturday
Headliner: Drake
If Drake’s first UK festival headline show is even half as celebratory as the video for ‘HYFR’, it’ll be the best party you’ve ever been to. What’s set Drake apart is in being unafraid to admit his self-doubt among the standard bragging though, so while it might get confessional too, it shouldn’t ever be anything less than excellent.
But don’t miss… The Weeknd
Who says the internet has killed mystique in music? Abel Tesfaye is prolific R’n’B sensation The Weeknd. Refusing all interviews, communicating solely via his blog and Twitter account, and releasing his music for free online, he’s managed to garner more fans and column inches than your average major label act. Taking in elements of chillwave and crunk, his songs become even more compelling when you seem him live.
Sunday
Headliner: Rihanna
She already rules the charts, and now she has her sights set on ruling the festival circuit too. Her sets at V last summer answered any questions about whether she command a festival crowd, and once ‘We Found Love’ made her even bigger, it was clear she was only going to headline from now on. An incendiary Hackney Weekend show later, all eyes will be on RiRi this weekend.
But don’t miss… A$AP Rocky
The latest rapper to move from mixtape sensation to major label mogul, Rocky is, along with Azealia Banks, the pick of New York’s new breed – take the likes of ‘Peso’, slow and spiralling but still fizzing with energy, and the sizzurp-enhanced swagger of ‘Wassup’. With his debut proper, ‘Long Live A$AP’ out later in the year, you could be witnessing the start of something big. Just don’t try to nick his Rolex.
Want more? Have a listen to the VF Wireless Festival Spotify Playlist!
Calvin Harris, Example, Nicki Minaj, Nero, Professor Green, Jessie J, J Cole, Rizzle Kicks, Tulisa, Cher Lloyd, Flux Pavillion, Labrinth, Pitbull, D’Banj, Madeon and Wiz Khalifa are among other acts already confirmed to play across the weekend at Wireless.
Wireless Festival tickets for Friday 6 July (Deadmau5 headline day) are priced at £49.50 (plus booking fee).
Tickets for Saturday 7 July (Drake headline day) and Sunday 8 July (Rihanna headline day) are now sold out.
Click here to buy Wireless Festival tickets.
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