Wild Paths - 2021
Wild Paths 2021
Photo by Nev
After the void that was 2020 left us without festivals or much live music, all eyes were on the end of the summer, with Wild Paths this year closing the festivals for the U.K. There's a strong team behind this event, who already managed to successfully orchestrate a social distancing festival (Wild Fields) so we knew we were in good hands, pandemic or not.
This year marks a special event for us at Wordplay, as we approach our 20th year we worked with Wild Paths to host our own stage. Showcasing Hip Hop on Saturday and a more Soulful vibe for your hangover on Sunday. We had a Rum Bus courtesy of The Duppy Share and exclusive festival beers from the guys at Wild Craft brewery. Trust me the chilled vibe Sunday was needed (next year we line up sofas! ……Imagine!).
Photo by Nev
Kicking things off for us with the dreaded opening set was Ghetto Orange bringing the energy and drawing a crowd. This guy has a massive stage presence! Smashed his set with Avenhue on the decks and woke everyone up! We can't wait to hear more from him.
Photo by Nev
Following on we had Latekid & Avenhue who added a soulful Hip Hop vibe to the afternoon (check them out here) before Wordplay favourite I.Am.Afiya who stunned in our Novembars competition last year and recently performed for Wordplay Sessions. She will also be playing for Stripped Sets next month so make sure you catch her there.
Photo by Nev
Then as evening rolls in we welcome Piers James to the stage who killed his set! One of the favourites from the weekend, Piers was there to party and he made sure Wild Paths was coming with him! Lookout for an announcement soon from him, London dates TBC.
Photo by Nev
Next, wordsmith and someone we have a lot of love for - Kofi Stone. So pleased we could include Kofi, he brought bars on bars and endless flows, stirring up the crowd and reminding us that 'Nuttin, Aint Free'! Before Jelani Blackman stirred the crowd up into a frenzy for what was to come...
Photo by Nev
As the venue started to fill up we knew NINE8 were close, after solo sets elsewhere in the city from Lava La Rue and Biig Piig, fans descended on the stage for the closing set. I'll be honest, I didn't know what to expect, I was familiar with their music but couldn't quite place it, they rap but it's not Hip Hop, they're soulful but it's not Soul, electronic but not EDM....are they going to sit well on a Wordplay stage? YES, fuck yes they did, they tore the roof off that old victorian shoe factory! Mosh pits, fans piling on top of each other to reach the front. NINE8 are pure energy and we're here for it! Wild Paths was the first date on their tour, if you get the chance to catch them grab tickets.
Photo by Nev
Sunday
A little fuzzy headed start to the day we needed something to clear our heads. Thank god we had BINA to open the stage, we've been fans of her music for a long time so we were blessed. BINA is a goddess, jawdroppingly stunning (it is a word) and a huge talent in U.K music. She announced this was her first gig outside of London and was shocked when fans sung her lyrics back at her. We hear there is something new brewing from her soon, so make sure you follow here.
Photo by Priya
Photo by Priya
Followed by another Wordplay favourite, Maya Law performing with Freya Roy, so pleased we could make this happen! She’s always amazing, her voice sounded so good in that warehouse! Check out her Wordplay Sessions here.
Photo by Priya
Next up Jelly Cleaver has a message for the crowd on the Windrush atrocities, reminding us that we have the power, we CAN do something about this. Sitting quietly is exactly what the government wants and expects from us. Jelly Cleaver alongside All Day Breakfast Cafe are ones to watch, many people talking about their performance in St Lawrence church later that day as a highlight of the whole weekend.
Photo by Priya
As we approach Sunday evening the infectious character that is Natty Wylah steps up to the stage. This artist's talent knows no boundaries! We've recorded him playing the grand piano and rapping, watched rap videos with Manik MC and today he steps up with a band to drop exclusive material that we can't wait for you to hear! It's Punk, it's Rap, it's electronic beats and bars....It's Natty Wylah and he's dope as hell.
Photo by Nev
Darkness arrives early and we're reminded it is actually Autumn despite the sunshine and rum cocktails in the day. This sets the mood perfectly for Tertia May who brings a blues and gospel twist to her set that was nothing short of mesmerising, what a voice! Alongside a live band she was incredible, her new single 'Love On My Own' is out now.
Next we were blessed to have Marlowe, a duo consisting of L'Orange and Solemn Brigham from the States who bring Hip Hop back to the stage! Headnod music to wake the crowd up for Olivia Dean to close the festival.
Photo by Nev
Olivia Dean enters the stage with a full live band and sporting a cowboy hat which she removes for the slower ballad tracks, she states 'I can't sing a serious song with this on' - so when the hat comes on we know it's time to dance! Olivia was the perfect end to an amazing weekend, bringing the party vibes and singalongs that everyone needed to celebrate a successful festival that was sorely missed in 2020.
We can't wait to do this all over again next year, bigger plans! If any of you have any doubts as to why you should travel to Norwich then trust our judgement and book the dates in your calendar. Wild Paths is the support musicians need, Wild Paths is progressive, Wild Paths is for the true music lovers and Wordplay is here for it every step.
Words - Nev
Photos - Nev and Priya
