More about: Wireless Festival

After many years in north London's Finsbury Park, Wireless budged south of the Thames this year for a new life in Crystal Palace Park. Though an hour-long journey from its old home, it was undoubtedly a cushy trip for the many south Londoners in attendance. Regardless of whether you had to journey there or not though, Wireless was more than worth it. 

The first sign of the festival packing just as many punches as its line-up suggested came on the Friday night, when Drake confirmed fans' suspicions by turning up for a five-song set during Future's headline slot. Viewed on high from a convenient barrier on the Upper Terrace of The Crystal Palace itself, the moment the penny dropped was a special one to behold, a ripple of pleasure travelling through the crowd as the words "Hey Wireless The Boy Is Home" flashed on-screen.

Saturday brought with it the first of two performances from Central Cee, a rapper who mere years ago was arrested at the Finsbury Park iteration of Wireless. The story has a feel-good throughline, for Cee's performance was one of the best from the weekend, his love for bringing his entourage out on stage with him adding to his charismatic presence (rock bands, it might be time for you to develop some on-stage entourages too...). 

AJ Tracey played tracks from his concept album Flu Game before a giant basketball hoop, but it was hits from his 2019 self-titled, UK Garage-inspired debut that roused the crowd the most successfully. Saturday headliner Skepta tripped out hit after hit, reminding everyone in attendance why he's one of the best Londoners to ever do it. Headine One, too, brought headliner hits (though perhaps not headliner energy) to the Main Stage just before tea-time on the Saturday.

But it was Megan Thee Stallion—Sunday's support slot—that took the crown for Wireless' biggest and best performance. Coming on at the tail-end of a high octane intro video, the Texan star took some of the power back from the men, who made up an overwhelming number of this weekend's performers, though only around half of those in attendance. By addressing only the women in the crowd, this "Hot Girl Coach" brought a blisteringly charming performance that proved her to be one of our most mesmerising rockstars.

Bright new hopes, enormous international superstars, a new home at an interesting and fantastic site filled with great views of the main stage: Wireless Festival 2021 easily overcame the challenges of the post-pandemic world and a surprise moving of venue.

More about: Wireless Festival