Following the impressive line-up and performances from wireless Festival’s first weekend in Crystal Palace, the Wordplay team were eager for another round. This time the venue was Finsbury Park in London, where we had the opportunity to see some top-class artists like SZA. Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion and Jack Harlow.

A huge strength that Wireless festival has compared to other festivals is the small number of stages. With the line-up being spread across three stages of varying size and start times, you’d rarely find yourself in a situation where you’d have to rush between acts and better yet, it meant every act received the attention they deserved. The festivals nearly 50,000 capacity meant that every artist was performing to packed out crowd, just the way it should be.

As fans eagerly awaited the first day’s headliner Cardi B, they were treated to a plethora of awesome acts throughout the day. Arrdee drew the crowd to the main stage early in the afternoon, getting fans hyped with drill tracks like “Oliver Twist” from his 2022 album. Up next was Mahalia with an incredible performance, with the crowd screaming the lyrics to “I Wish I Missed My Ex” right back at her throughout the show. Giveon took to the stage to deliver a Soulful set which would see him serenading the crowd, glass of wine in hand to “Heartbreak Anniversary” the kind of performance that had us all swooning. As the evening went on the crowd were getting more and more hyped up from killer performances by both Megan Thee Stallion and Roddy Ricch, all leading up to the Friday Headliner, Cardi B. It’s safe to say that one of the most anticipated shows of the festival did not disappoint. Right from the moment she came on stage to she put on a jaw draw dropping performance, all culminating with her Bringing Megan Thee Stallion back on stage for fan favourite “WAP”.

 The festival’s second day featured a completely stacked line-up, with every act drawing huge crowds of fans. Fan favourites like Jack Harlow, H.E.R and Summer Walker lit up the main stage. Summer Walker covering the stage in greenery and what can only be described as a throne in the centre of the stage. Both Summer and her backing band delivered a cool and smooth performance perfectly seen in her opener “Come Thru/Girls Need Love” which delivered some top lass R&B as the evening drew in. On the other side of the park at the N4 stage. Lucky Daye was killing it with his band, delivering a set that varied in genres, with songs that took on a classic R&B feel, to others that had a full-on Pop vibe, an absolute treat and definitely standing out as one of Wordplay’s highlights of the festival. Now headliners typically love to make a striking entrance, SZA’s was nothing short of exceptional. With a giant lighthouse built on stage, and with a number of backing dancers, SZA’s opener “All the Stars” was nothing short of cinematic, setting the tone for what would be an amazing show to close out day two.

Across the weekend, many of the US-based artists remarked about how great UK crowds were at festivals, a shining example of this was during Lil Baby’s Sunday Performance, where the American rapper was almost drowned out by the sound of the crowd singing the lyrics to “Freestyle” right back at him. Headlining the N4 stage was Nigerian artist Fireboy DML, bringing his signature Afrobeat sound to the stage, with Songs like his popular “Peru” turning the whole crowd into what felt like a giant party. It’s no easy task closing a festival, but Nicki Minaj took to the stage as the weekend’s final performance. With an explosive performance featuring all the fan favourites, a stage presence that oozed charisma, and being carted around on a giant golden bed. Nicki once again showed the crowd why she’s deserving of the title “Queen of Rap”

Wireless festival 2022 delivered three days of consistently awesome acts, with a range of genres and artists that knocked it out of the park. The festival itself was full of attractions and fun people, with an all-around great vibe that made us feel very comfortable as we wandered around the grounds. It’s safe to say that Wordplay will be back next year ready for more!

Words - Max Pringle

Photos - Andrew Busby