The first night of Wireless Festival 2025 started out with a bang as headliner Drake wowed fans and brought out a number of guest artists on stage, plus other surprises
Wireless Festival fans were “packed in like Sardines” according to fans on the first night of the Finsbury Park festival yesterday as the sun was shining and headliner Drake performed his first show of three this weekend. Fans have been waiting in anticipating to see the Hotline Bling singer back in the UK – and he certainly went all out on Friday with special guests and a few surprises.
The 38-year-old rapper and singer, who has five Grammy Awards, surprised fans as he brought out Lauryn Hill on stop. Her performance of ‘Ex-Factor’ transitioned into Drake rapping his 2018 hit single ‘Nice For What’. Videos shared online show the incredible scenes and one fan said on X that it was “one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen”.
But that’s not all; Drake, who flew via his private jet ‘Air Drake’ to the UK earlier this week, also welcomed five other artists onto the stage – Mario, Bobby Valentino, Bryson Tiller, and Giveon to churn out their crowd-pleasing singles. Plus, the One Dance artist added an unlikely song to his show – a Whitney Houston track – and he flew in the air.
Fans were gobsmacked at the unexpected moment after seeing him on a cylindrical platform, holding his microphone out to the crowd as the legendary song blared out.
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While sharing videos on TikTok of the moment, fans shared their thoughts. One individual said: “The last thing I expected…Drake performing I will always love you by Whitney Houston Wireless 2025.”
Another shared a clip, and said: “Drake flying through Finsbury Park singing Whitney Houston was not on my 2025 Bingo card.”
One other commented: “Only drake would fly on a crane around the whole wireless crowd, singing Whitney Houston.” “Drake really said ‘I’m seeing everybody’,” another observed as he flew across the crowd.
One other shocked fan, who admitted they were left feeling emotional, said: “Not Drake flying through the air to Whitney Houston after bringing out 10 back to back special guests. We go again tomorrow.”
“He’s so unserious,” commented another. “This man is having too much fun,” said another. One other says he was acting like a “fairy”.
Drake previously made surprise appearances at Wireless. He made a guest appearance at Wireless Festival in 2021, where he joined Future on stage. He also made a surprise appearance at Wireless Festival in 2018.
Who else is performing at Wireless Festival 2025?
Some 20 new names have now been added to the official line up. Each night will reflect the cream of Black music, celebrating a coming-together of global rap, R&B, Afrobeats, dancehall, grime, and trap.
New acts revealed include Leon Thomas, KWN, Odeal, Roy Woods, Sailorr, TBA, Nippa, and Kamilla Rose on Friday. Saturday will see the likes of BigXThaPlug, Lancey Foux, Nemzzz, Fimiguerrero, Sahbabii, Len, Chy Cartier, YT and Kenny Allstar perform.
Sunday attendees will be able to see Vybz Kartel, Popcaan, Spice, Masicka, Uncle Waffles, Darkoo, Odumodublvck, Skeete and Izzy Bossy. Drake will headline all three days.
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