Drake Wireless Festival Ends Early: Disappointment Over Short Set
Drake‘s Wireless Festival Set Cut Short Again amidst Fan Discontent and Accessibility Concerns
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Drake’s highly anticipated headline set at Wireless Festival faced further disruption on Sunday night, with the Canadian rapper appearing agitated and apologetic as his performance was cut short for the third consecutive night. Fans expressed significant disappointment, with some reporting they spent longer queuing than watching the artist perform, and distressing scenes unfolded at an accessible exit.
A Rushed Performance and Unreleased tracks
The toronto rapper’s mood was a stark contrast to his more upbeat performances on Friday and Saturday.He kicked off his set with an unreleased collaboration featuring British rapper Central cee. While Cee mouthed the lyrics from the front row, his presence was projected onto the big screens, a move that did little to fully ignite the 50,000-strong crowd.
Drake repeatedly apologized to the London audience, promising to deliver his biggest hits.he raced through a medley of fan favorites including ”Controlla,” “Find Your Love,” and “One Dance.” However, these tracks were remixed and updated for a 2025 sound, which, while innovative, felt rushed and made it difficult for the audience to sing along to the familiar arrangements.
Brief Highs and Lingering Disappointment
A surprise appearance from Nigerian rapper Rema provided a much-needed boost, with his tracks “Calm Down” and “Fever” proving to be a highlight of the evening. Following a brief cameo from Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel, Drake’s set was limited to just two more solo songs.
For the third night in a row,Drake ascended a crane to wave to the massive crowd as Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” played. This iconic gesture, which had gained social media traction over the weekend, quickly signaled the end of what many fans considered a disappointingly short headline set.
Curfew Chaos and Accessibility issues
Drake had already fallen victim to the strict 22:30 curfew on Friday, with organizers cutting off his and Lauryn Hill’s microphones. While he managed to adhere to timings on Saturday, it remains unclear if Drake himself chose to start his Sunday set a mere 45 minutes before the event’s official end.
The frustration among attendees was palpable as they shuffled towards the exits. Many were unaware of the stringent local curfews enforced at the park. Some fans shared their dismay, stating their queuing time exceeded the duration of Drake’s performance.
Adding to the chaotic exit, distressing scenes were reported at an accessible exit.Fans were seen and heard pleading with security to be allowed to leave, after being informed they would have to remain in a designated area for ten minutes or until further security clearance. This led to a surge of hysteria, with some individuals attacking barriers and shouting, emphasizing their disabilities and urgent need to depart.
Wireless Festival’s organizers have been contacted by the BBC for comment on the events.