Drake’s highly anticipated three-day headline run at London’s Wireless Festival concluded on a significantly low note. His final performance on Sunday evening abruptly ended after just 40 minutes. This unexpectedly brief set left large numbers of attendees feeling shortchanged and frustrated, sparking widespread discussion online and among festival-goers.
Wireless Festival Finale Takes Unexpected Turn
The disappointment stemmed from a stark contrast with Drake’s previous nights headlining the event. Friday and Saturday saw the Canadian superstar deliver sets lasting approximately 90 minutes. These earlier shows featured numerous special guests, adding layers of excitement and surprise for the thousands in attendance. Saturday’s performance, for instance, boasted an impressive 13 guest appearances, while Friday included six surprise acts.
Sunday’s finale, however, dramatically departed from this pattern. Drake’s set ran for less than half the duration of the previous nights. It also included just three special guests: Jamaican artists Popcaan and Vybz Kartel, and Nigerian star Rema. This significant reduction in both time and collaborative performances was a major source of fan discontent.
Unclear Schedule Changes Add Confusion
Adding to the confusion earlier in the day, the official Wireless Festival schedule had initially listed two separate Drake sets for Sunday. One performance was scheduled for 18:25, and another for 20:55. Mysteriously, the earlier 18:25 slot disappeared from the timetable as the afternoon progressed.
Despite this change, other planned performances in similar time slots proceeded as scheduled. Vybz Kartel and Burna Boy both performed their sets at their allotted times. Fans were visibly surprised when Drake suddenly appeared on stage only minutes after Burna Boy finished his performance. This unexpected timing potentially contributed to the rushed feeling of the ensuing set.
The Sunday Performance: Agitation and Apologies
Sources near the stage observed Drake appearing agitated upon taking the stage. This demeanor marked a notable shift from his more upbeat and energetic attitude seen during his Friday and Saturday night shows. Addressing the massive crowd, Drake stated he would perform until his microphone was cut off. This was a direct reference to the festival’s strict 21:30 curfew imposed by local authorities.
The performance began with an unreleased collaboration featuring British rapper Central Cee. Although Central Cee was present in the front row, his part was displayed on the big screens as he mouthed the lyrics. He did not join Drake on stage to perform the track.
Throughout the abbreviated set, Drake seemed aware of the situation. He reportedly appeared apologetic at various points. He promised the audience he would play some of his biggest hits in an effort to appease the crowd and make up for the unexpected circumstances.
Rushed Medley and Guest Highlights
Drake attempted to race through a medley of some of his most popular tracks. These included fan favorites like “Controlla,” “Find Your Love,” and “One Dance.” However, these songs were presented with new arrangements and updates, likely for 2025. While intended to freshen the performance, the new versions felt rushed. The altered structures also made it challenging for fans to sing along to familiar lyrics, diminishing the collective concert experience.
Despite the overall rushed nature, special guest appearances provided brief moments of uplift. Nigerian rapper Rema’s surprise segment, featuring his hit tracks “Calm Down” and “Fever,” noticeably raised spirits among the thousands of attendees. Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel also made a short cameo, despite having already performed his own set earlier in the day to a large audience.
Following these brief guest spots, the set quickly drew to a close. There was only time for Drake to perform two more solo songs before the final, familiar signal appeared.
The Premature End and Curfew Context
For the third consecutive night, Drake ended his performance by climbing onto a crane. From this vantage point, he waved to the estimated 50,000 festival-goers gathered below. As he did this, Whitney Houston’s iconic ballad “I Will Always Love You” played over the speakers. This specific closing ritual had gained traction on social media throughout the weekend. Consequently, fans quickly recognised it as the definitive signal that the headline set was over, despite its remarkably short duration.
The festival operated under a strict 21:30 curfew. This wasn’t the first time it impacted Drake’s residency. On Friday night, both Drake and co-headliner Lauryn Hill had their microphones cut off precisely at the 22:30 cutoff (note: the original article mentions 22:30 curfew on Friday, but 21:30 curfew reference otherwise). Stage graphics reportedly switched to displaying information about local train stations as the music stopped. While Drake seemed to manage timings better on Saturday, the decision to begin his Sunday set at 20:55, just 45 minutes before the main 21:30 curfew (or 22:30 cutoff cited for Friday), remains unclear. It is currently unknown if this early start was a decision made by Drake’s team, festival organizers, or was influenced by other factors.
Fan Frustration and Accessibility Issues
The immediate aftermath of the short set saw waves of disappointed fans shuffling towards the exits. Many attendees expressed significant discontent. A common complaint among them was that they were unaware of the strict local curfews operating in the park venue. Some fans reportedly felt they had spent longer queuing to enter the festival grounds than they had actually witnessed Drake perform on stage.
Adding to the negative experience, concerning scenes unfolded at an accessible exit point. Reports indicated distress among fans attempting to leave. Security personnel were reportedly holding back attendees in a restrictive space. They were told they needed to wait ten minutes or until given a signal from other security teams before being allowed to exit.
This situation escalated, reportedly leading to hysteria among some individuals. Fans were seen and heard pleading with security and attacking barriers. Some reportedly shouted they were disabled and required immediate exit due to their needs. These accounts highlight significant concerns regarding crowd management and provision for accessible exits at the event.
Wireless Festival organizers have reportedly been contacted by the BBC for comment regarding the incidents on Sunday night. The events underscore the challenges of managing large-scale urban festivals with strict curfews and the critical importance of clear communication and robust accessibility protocols for all attendees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Drake’s final Wireless Festival set so short?
Drake’s Sunday performance at London’s Wireless Festival lasted only 40 minutes, significantly shorter than his 90-minute sets on previous nights. While Drake referenced the strict 21:30 curfew, the exact reason for the set’s brevity remains unclear. He started performing just 45 minutes before the curfew, unlike previous nights where he used the full allotted time. Fan disappointment largely stemmed from this unexpected duration.
How did Drake’s Sunday performance compare to his Friday and Saturday shows?
Drake’s Sunday set was dramatically different from Friday and Saturday. The previous nights featured approximately 90 minutes of performance time and included numerous special guests (6 on Friday, 13 on Saturday). Sunday’s set was only 40 minutes long and featured just three guests. Drake also reportedly appeared agitated on Sunday, contrasting with his earlier, more upbeat demeanor.
What other issues did fans report experiencing at Wireless Festival on Sunday?
Beyond the short set, fans reported significant frustration regarding the strict curfew, with many unaware it would cut the performance short. Some felt they spent more time queuing than watching Drake. Disturbingly, reports also emerged of distress at an accessible exit, where fans were held back by security, leading to panic and pleas for immediate release, including from disabled attendees.
Conclusion
Drake’s truncated final performance at Wireless Festival left a lingering sense of disappointment among many attendees. The stark contrast in length and guest appearances compared to his previous nights, coupled with an unexpected start time and reported issues at accessible exits, overshadowed the musical moments of the evening. While the strict 21:30 curfew undoubtedly played a role, the precise reasons for the set’s unusually short 40-minute duration remain a subject of speculation. The event highlights the complexities of managing large-scale live music events under strict time constraints and underscores the importance of transparent communication and robust operational planning to ensure a positive experience for all festival-goers.
