WIRELESS FESTIVAL - BIRMINGHAM: DAY 1 /04/07/14

Making its first appearance in the UK's second city, Wireless festival was welcomed with open and wailing arms on Friday, in Birmingham’s Perry Park.

With acts such as Drake, Wiz Khalifa, Schoolboy Q and Azealia banks, it seems that the once all genre festival has now become an unspoken Hip-Hop and R&B sanctuary.

Unfortunately due to Canadian rapper Drake cancelling his headline slot because of illness, Nothing Was The Same, especially for his fans that bought tickets just to see him. Rudimental were unexpectedly announced to be the new headliners for Birmingham, which seemed a little weak as London had Kanye West to fill Drakes boots.

A$AP Ferg pumped up the crowd on the Main Stage.

So Wireless Festival might’ve not got off to the best start, but A$AP Ferg had the crowd (which he wrongly and inexcusably called London) going wild despite the discouraging grey skies above him. But the weather was no issue as the American rapper had the bouncing crowd screaming the explicit lyrics to his song ‘Dump Dump’.

Elsewhere over at the BrumBrum Stage, Earl Sweatshirt  delivered the same pumped up vibe inside the packed tent. Sending the crowd into more of a frenzy, Odd Future’s Earl closed his 40 minute set with his song ‘Earl’, much to the crowds enjoyment.

The Liquorice bitch herself Ms. Azealia Banks

At around 5:30pm during Harlem rapper Azealia Banks set the heavens started it open. And while her bright hot pink power ranger-like costume cheered up the stage a little, it was Azealia’s anthem ‘212’ that really shut it down.

Labrinth followed and proved to be the night’s most disappointing act. Swearing unnecessarily during his whole set, it felt as if he was an 11 year old who had just discovered the power of the word ‘fuck’. Nevertheless, as to be expected his 2011 smash ‘Earthquake’ received the most feedback from the crowd.

Wireless festival made sure that all the acts came on and finished on time, which is plausible and in between sets on the main stage the crowd were entertained by DJ Manny Norte.

Wiz Khalifa lifted the spirit of the whole crowd, and received a rowdy roar of endorsement when he asked the Birmingham crowd ‘who here smokes weed’? Wiz’s nonchalant anthem 'Young Wild and Free' went down a treat with the audience who sang every word back to him.

Wiz Khalifa was the performer of the night.

It was an alright day but as festivals go, day 1 of Wireless festival was a hesitant start and Drakes departure was definitely missed. Read our review on day 2 and 3 to see if the likes of Bruno Mars, Kanye West and Outkast could really bring it to Birmingham crowd. 

2/5