Live Review

Wireless Festival – London

• 5th Jul 2011

I made a big mistake last year – I didn’t go to the Wireless Festival. Missy Elliot was one of the headliners and missing such a legend perform live I made a vow not to miss it this year. One of the less popular festivals, the event organisers of Wireless put a great line up for Friday’s show which was a sell out with 65,000 tickets sold.

In a sun drenched Hyde Park, Example was the first act to take to the main stage. Over the past 12 months Example has went from making the numbers up in the UK Charts to a bonifide star in the making. Example got the crowd warmed up with a rousing set which was the crowd lapped up and was topped off with his number 1 hit ‘Changed The Way You Kissed Me’.

Next to hit the main stage was Bruno Mars. Having seen him un-impress me in the Grammy’s I wasn’t particularly excited to see him perform at Wireless. I was glad that I wasn’t, because my expectations were low. Well I was wrong, he completely blew me away. From gaining the crowds participation with a higher tempo version of ‘The Lazy Song’ to the fantastic ‘Billionaire’ Bruno looked every piece the star he will undoubtedly become. Covers of ‘That’s what I Want’ and the Michael Jackson classic ‘Dirty Diana’, which was my highlight of the whole day, Bruno and his band, whose drummer bore an uncanny resemblance to Dom Jolly, lit up the place.

After sneaking away from the main stage to watch 5 minutes of The Far East Movement’s set it was time to watch Tinie Tempah’s set. Having seen him in Manchester in February and on TV at Glastonbury I already knew Tinie was going to kill it. Surprisingly though for the first few songs you could barely hear his microphone. Looking fresh Tinie didn’t seem fazed and when the mic was turned up Tinie was electric. He performed what is going to be his next single ‘Mosh Pit’ and all around the crowd pockets of crazy revellers moshed along to the song.

‘Miami To Ibiza’ which got the crowd raving, was also a big highlight of the day. Tinie closed his set with the assistance of Labrinth, with his UK number 1 ‘Pass Out’ which if there was a roof on the park may have been blown off.

The only major fail of the whole event was putting superstar DJ, David Guetta on a smaller stage. Following Tinie’s set I made my way to the Pepsi Max Stage to see what all the fuss is about Guetta live. Actually getting close to the action was impossible and with my stomach rumbling I snuck off for a Kangaroo Burger and some Paella. Suitably refreshed I made my way back to the main stage to see head line act ‘The Black Eyed Peas’.

To be honest, BEP are a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. I don’t listen to their music much but when I hear a song of theirs ill be sure to be bobbing my head. To see them live though is an entirely different experience. Will I Am and Fergie compliment each other so well and the the two other members aptly perform their duties. Making a great team BEP rattled through hit after chart hit until it was time to have a breather. At this point Will I Am was hoisted high in the air on a raised platform and performed a bouncing DJ set for around 20 minutes. Once he had finished Fergie emerged to sing her solo hits and she was vocally flawless. BEP danced and raved and the crowd followed suit, i just feel sorry for the acts on the other 3 stages because I don’t think many were not at this stage; BEP were special. This was a great festival and it has now persuaded me to attend more it was just a shame I was only there for 1 day.