Beginners guide to Wireless
Every year in July, since 2005, London has played host to what is now referred to as the Wireless Festival, a three day orgiastic thrill ride of urban, pop and RnB excellence. It’s relatively short life span has seen an incremental progression of always quality headline acts to a veritable cavalcade of industry heavy hitters. Daft Punk, Jay Z, Kanye, Drake and Bruno Mars have all billboarded Wireless’s main stage - in the case of Jay Z, they’ve done so three times. Make no mistake, Wireless isn't the guttersnipe to the likes of Reading and Glastonbury it may once have been. It’s constantly impressive lineup is testament to its well earned rep of drawing notoriously Brit-shy international acts from across the pond.
These days, it’s earned the gaudy distinction of being an absolute must see for any self-respecting festival head. In 2016, Wireless is bringing it’s A-Game; the girls and boys at Licklist have thrown together a little guide to ensure you bring yours.
Who’s on the billing?
Last year, Wireless served up an exquisite buffet of a line up, with Chance the Rapper, Major Lazer and ASAP Rocky filling out the under cards for the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Nicki Minaj. 2015 also saw Drake finally appear in Finsbury park after a controversial absence the previous year. So who’s gonna force you to brave the London transport labyrinth to get to Finsbury park this year?
Kicking things off on Friday are the 1975, whose ethereal alt-rock melodies are a just a positional choice against headliner Calvin Harris who is sure to tear up the earth with his anthem-fest of a set. Coming in hot on Saturdayare the likes of Chase&Status after J.Cole brings in that traditional RnB Wireless vibe. And finally on Saturday, two words; Action Bronson. Wipe that drool away and get those tickets booked.
Plan ahead..
The first thing to bear in mind about Wireless is there is absolutely no weekend camping of any kind. Period. That means accommodation and travel needs to be considered for every day you want to attend. Taking into account that this is all going down right smack bang in the middle of our glorious nation’s capital, you’re gonna need to ensure you have a clear idea of where you need to be and how you are going to get there, in order to avoid getting lost in the congestion exodus when the last gig wraps up. Fortunately, Wireless is offering package deals for tickets, accommodation and travel; you can score yourself a ticket and a hostel B&B for as low as £60 if you act fast. There’s also festival coaches that can get you there and take you home for a steal so check your local timetables and see if there’s a package that covers your area. Just ensure you have an arrangement in mind or you’ll be stuck in standstill people-traffic at Manor House Tube station making about as much progress as a brick through cheesecloth.
Pick & Mix your facilities..
Festivals aren’t just about swaying in the middle of a headlining act, trying to see over the smartphone of the guy in front; sometimes the grander path is the one less beaten. Wireless consistently hosts an acoustic bandstand to punctuate the urbanity of an (in)famously hip hop orientated line-up. The obligatory fair ground rides are also going to pop up and Wireless is notorious for stepping up its game in this regard; in 2013, they boasted a zipwire spanning all of Hackney. Plus, once you have sweat out all the lukewarm beer you chugged on the bus, Wireless will serve you up the impressive array of street food pedlars and meal wagons that it does every year. Want to gorge on authentic Lebanese cuisine whilst nodding along to the Celtic croonings of Maverick Sabre? Knock that oddly specific entry off the bucket list, my friend - we’ll see you in the crowds!
By Kyle Cairns