Wireless festival review – Drake’s disjointed three-night headline run smacks of desperation

The announcement of Drake’s three-day headline set for Wireless’s 20th anniversary met with a mixed response. Having been eviscerated in a rap beef with Kendrick Lamar, he had seemingly lost all street credibility. Plus, three consecutive sets from one artist could be overkill. On the other hand, what better way could there be to mark the occasion? No artist is more emblematic of the interface between British and American music that is so central to Wireless (despite Drake being Canadian). And the triptych curation around his various artistic personae seemed like genius: the swoon-worthy Casanova, the menacing rapper, the Black diaspora-surfing chameleon (or “culture vulture”, if you’re a Drake-sceptic).

Friday at the festival has an R&B focus, revealing rising star Kwn and the delightfully bluesy Leon Thomas. Summer Walker is somewhat garbled and listless. And then, after collaborator PartyNextDoor bores us to death for 20 minutes, Drake arrives, throwing it back with the 2011 heartbreak classic Marvin’s Room. The surprise army of R&B all-stars he brings on is incredible: Mario, Bobby Valentino, Giveon, Bryson Tiller; Lauryn Hill’s appearance is astonishing, despite the glaring audio issues that occur in the transition from Nice for What into Ex-Factor. It is a clear statement of Drake’s standing among the greats, an assembling of allies.

Yet the set also feels disjointed and strained. After Tiller performs Exchange, Drake awkwardly asks if he’ll do another song, but Tiller walks off. He also won’t stop banging on about how much “love” he receives in his “true home”, London. It soon reads like desperation, a need to affirm that he is still adored despite becoming persona non grata. Then he floats above the crowd while blaring Whitney Houston’s recording of I Will Always Love You, telling everyone to embrace a stranger. He does this again on Saturday and Sunday. It is not new for his sets, but it still feels completely bizarre.

All-star support … (from left) Central Cee and Dave perform with Drake during day two of Wireless festival. Photograph: Simone Joyner/Getty Images

The “mandem” Saturday is more thrilling. Lancey Foux brings an enviable swagger and deft lyrical flow, and grime collective BBK are a masterclass in rap performance – Frisco a clear standout with his GBTH Freestyle. When Drake comes on, he kills the vulnerable loverboy and brings aggression – getting the audience to bark like dangerous dogs. From last night’s emotional manipulation to “I don’t give a fuck if you love me” is quite the headspin, but an incredibly welcome one.

The special guests are stacked: Fakemink, Dave, J Hus, Central Cee, Headie One, Skepta. But this is all a naked retaliation against the US rap scene, as he declares UK rappers superior to them (Skepta had days earlier declared war on the US with Friendly Fire). No one can think he truly believes this, and it only adds to the awkward atmosphere. When Vanessa Carlton turns up to vibe to A Thousand Miles just because Drake felt like it, all bets are off.

The organisation on Sunday gets wayward as the app mysteriously changes to remove set lengths. Drake appears on the schedule twice, at 18:25 and 20:55, and a 21:30 curfew is looming. This doesn’t bode well, though the lineup is stellar. Vybz Kartel returns for his first London performance in 20 years. Despite some shakes, his rapid-fire toasting style is still serviceable, though hits such as Dancehall and Love Dem feel wasted on a crowd who don’t respond with much energy.

Kartel’s performance runs past Drake’s scheduled first set, which disappears from the lineup, and the headliner lands on stage with only 45 minutes to perform. The closing “dance party” underwhelms as Drake aimlessly vibes out, seemingly choosing tracks on a whim. In the middle of his set, Rema comes on to perform five songs – which feels very odd given the time constraints.

Without doubt this has been a history-making Wireless, but it feels as though it was laden with fan service – nostalgia and guest stars – to mask what was ultimately a bit of a heist. You’d feel less shortchanged on the final night had you attended all three days. But if you had a Sunday-only ticket, please stay on the line to your bank, your call is very important to them.