GROOVES: It's Hyde and seek for tickets as Rihanna headlines Wireless Festival
Pictured Above: Rihanna
Published: 12 April, 2012
by ROISIN GADELRAB
This year’s Wireless Festival will exhaust even the most well-trained raver with big hits coming from all angles from a line-up featuring the likes of Rihanna, Deadmau5, Drake, Jessie J, Example, Calvin Harris, Maverick Sabre and Labrinth.
The festival, which takes place from July 6-8 in Hyde Park, also features J Cole, Rizzle Kicks, Nicki Minaj and many more.
Now Rihanna’s headline Sunday night gig is sold out, fans will have to resort to other tactics if they want to see first-hand which tiny outfits the petite singer will be sporting for her Hyde Park headline turn.
Those not too bothered about a close-up or too skint to stump up the inflated marketplace prices, can join the optimists picnicking outside the barriers – you’ll be able to hear reasonably clearly and even catch a far-off screen if you pick the right angle to set up base.
If you’re determined to get inside the barriers, there’s always a chance someone may be trying to offload a spare ticket at the gates, not to mention scores of dubious-looking touts waiting to fleece those most desperate to get in.
For a more legitimate route, submit to one of the online marketplaces which allow traders and fans to sell tickets, and usually guarantee their authenticity.
When I checked on Monday, one such website, getmein.com, listed Rihanna ticket prices from £89.60 to £1,099.99 – all for EXACTLY THE SAME general admission unreserved standing tickets, which gets you through the gate and into the viewing free-for-all.
GetMeIn explains the ticket pricing discrepancy: “All tickets listed are guaranteed by approved ticket sellers. The ticket sellers compete with one another to give you the lowest price.”
I’m not sure the £1,010.39 quite tallies with this reasoning but hey ho, that’s capitalism for you.
Sunday’s line-up is a busy one, and weekend ticket-holders would do well to conserve their energy if they hope to still be standing by the time Rihanna takes to the stage.
The day will be completed by Calvin Harris, Jessie J, J Cole, Rizzle Kicks, Labrinth, Pitbull, Cher Lloyd, Kaskade, Madeon, A$AP Rocky, Flux Pavilion, StooShe, Delilah and Theophilus London.
Saturday features Canadian rapper Drake taking the top spot.
Love or hate her, Nicki Minaj, who also plays on Saturday, is usually out to astound, so expect a good show, or at least
an attempt to be controversial, from her.
Completing Saturday are Example, who seems to never be out of the charts, East Coast hip-hop star Wiz Khalifa, another Canadian export The Weeknd, Professor Green, who seems to have struck up an unlikely relationship with one of the Made in Chelsea crowd, Labrinth, whose massive single Earthquake will doubtless cause tremors across the capital when he plays it, producers Nero, Camden’s own Tulisa, Chiddy Bang, D’banj, Clement Marfo & The Frontline, Dot Rotten and Angel.
Friday (July 6) has more of a dance emphasis, with Canadian Grammy-nominated dance maestro, producer and DJ Deadmau5 headlining.
Also playing on Friday will be Maverick Sabre, Knife Party, Feed Me, Modestep, Jaguar Skills, Ms Dynamite (another Camden offering), Gemini (NOT the failed Eurovision entrants but dubstep producer Thomas Slinger), Araabmuzik, and Zedd.
Just talking about this lot is exhausting.
• For further information visit www.wirelessfestival.co.uk