Wireless Festival 2014: Five must-see acts
By Will Stroude
Wireless 2014 is almost upon us, with Kanye West, Drake and Bruno Mars set to headline the three-day music event this weekend (July 4-6), which is taking place simultaneously in London and Birmingham for the first time.
With a line-up bursting with international hip-hop, dance and pop stars, we wouldn’t blame you if you can’t decide which acts to catch on the day and tune in for. We’ve picked out some of the weekend’s most unmissable acts to help you make up your mind.
Kanye West
When: Main stage, (Sunday, 8.20-10.20pm, Birmingham/Friday, 8.50-10.20pm, London)
Why: Much has been made of the fact that Wireless will be Kanye’s only UK performance this year, so be sure to catch him on his “mission from God” while you have the chance. Whatever you think of Yeezy, his incredible live performances and potential for totally mad onstage rants mean he’ll undoubtedly be the talk of the festival.
Festival bangers: Ni**as in Paris (feat. Jay Z), Black Skinhead, All of the Lights (feat. Rihanna)
Iggy Azalea
When: Main stage, 4.30 – 5.15pm (Sunday, Birmingham/Friday, London)
Why: Although she’s admitted she won’t be crowd-surfing because of the over-zealous fans who try to “finger” her, Iggy Iggs and her bikini-clad dance troupe blew crowds away at Wireless last year. The white-hot Australian has only grown in confidence since and now has a certified summer smash in the form of Fancy to keep revellers happy.
Festival bangers: Fancy (feat. Charli XCX), Bounce, Work
Azealia Banks
When: Main stage, 3.35-4.15pm (Friday, Brimingham/Saturday, London)
Why: Professional controversy-baiter Azealia Banks recently apologised for her not-too-fresh homophobic language on Twitter, saying she hopes that “the entire LGBT community will forgive me”. Despite clearly being a bit of a dick, Azealia’s talent and knack for putting on a show can’t be denied. Wireless organisers have wisely arranged for arch-nemesis Angel Haze to perform on a different day, a sad downside of which is the reduced likelihood of any weave-shredding stage invasions.
Festival bangers: 212 (feat. Lazy Jay), 1991, Liquorice
Outkast
When: Main stage, 7.05-8.05pm (Saturday, Birmingham/Sunday London)
Why: Outkast’s reunion is one of the most eagerly-anticipated live music events of the summer as André 3000 and Big Boi perform their first UK shows in over a decade. While the duo claim that they’re not working on any new material together, their set will be the ultimate nostalgia trip as everyone shakes it like a Polaroid picture during the obligatory Hey Ya! sing-a-long.
Festival bangers: Hey Ya!, Roses, Ms. Jackson
Alexa Goddard
When: Main stage, 1.30-1.55pm (Saturday, Birmingham/Sunday, London)
Why: Surrey-born Alexa is one of our favourite new popstars – and not just because when we bumped into her recently, she was holding a PINT of vodka and cranberry. Having signed to Jay Z’s Roc Nation stable, and spent time in the recording studio with a host of top US producers, this super-likeable 23-year-old has some very big tunes coming – her new single Marilyn, out in August, is better than Pharrell’s hit of the same name.
Festival bangers: Marilyn, Turn My Swag On
One to avoid: Robin Thicke
When: BrumBrum stage (Saturday, 7.30-8.30pm, Birmingham/Sunday, 7.10-8.10pm, London)
Why: Keen to keep to ball rolling after the success of last year’s “rape-myth reinforcing” toe-tapper Blurred Lines, the sergeant of sleaze is back with a brand new album, Paula. As if his decision to name said album after his estranged wife wasn’t nauseating enough, the video for lead single Get Her Back features a series of increasingly uncomfortable text messages superimposed over a bruised and battered Thicke, culminating in the more-than-a-little-unnerving message: “This is just the beginning.” Mood kill rating: High.
Wireless 2014 is celebrating is 10th anniversary year and will be held in London’s Finsbury Park and Birmingham’s Perry Park on July 4-6.
If you haven’t been lucky enough to get tickets, you’ll be able to keep up with exclusive highlights over the weekend on MTV Music and MTV Live HD.
For more information or to book Exclusive Gay Travel packages visit marriott.co.uk/GayTravel.
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