The Wireless Festival was thrown into chaos just hours after it was revealed two acts had pulled out, with fans also criticising bosses’ plans to end the event early for the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
The annual music event is set to kick off in London’s Finsbury Park on Friday, but just hours before the first act was set to take to the stage, a statement from organisers said Tyla and Diggi D would no longer be performing on Sunday as planned.
The message read: ‘Flo Milli and Veeze will no longer be performing tomorrow. Tyla and Digga D will no longer be performing on Sunday.’
While the post said replacement acts would be announced “shortly,” it was confirmed later in the day that the festival would end at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
In a statement, organisers said: ‘Rockstar Energy presents Wireless will finish at 7pm on Sunday 14 July, to give you enough time to travel home to watch the Euro 2019 final match between England and Spain.
The Wireless Festival has been thrown into chaos after it was revealed two artists had pulled out, with fans also criticising plans to end the event early for the Euro 2024 final on Sunday (headliner Nicki Minaj pictured)
The annual music event is set to kick off in London’s Finsbury Park on Friday, but a statement from organisers said Tyla (pictured) and Diggi D will no longer be performing on Sunday.
‘The festival will go ahead as planned on Sunday with Doja Cat performing as the headliner.’
The Three Lions will face Spain in the final live in Germany, with the match kicking off at 8pm UK time.
While bosses shared updates on the festival a day before it was set to kick off, many fans were quick to vent their fury in the comments.
Some noted the huge amounts they had shelled out for tickets, with a day pass costing £94.60 and a weekend ticket priced at £258.25, while thousands learned they would have a reduced queue on the final day.
Comments on the festival’s Instagram post included: ‘Sorry but ending a festival at 7pm is ridiculous’;
‘Are you going to give everyone their money back then? I’m sorry, but can someone start a petition to get our money back for Sunday?’
‘So I’m going to get my money back since I paid for a full day on Sunday instead of having two of the best shows taken away so I can watch football from a team I don’t support?’
What audacity! We travel all the way from Holland just so you can watch the game? Seriously?
In an update shared on Instagram Stories, bosses confirmed that two of Sunday’s events would not go ahead as planned.
Bosses then revealed that Sunday’s setlist, headlined by Doja Cat (pictured), would end at 7pm, so fans could “travel home” to watch England’s Euro 2024 final.
“So there will be no replacement performances for Sunday? We will simply end it early ‘for football'”
“Honestly, that makes me NEVER want to go back”;
“Seriously? We paid that much for a 7pm curfew and two cancelled artists? I can’t believe it.”
Digga D later took to Instagram to confirm that he had been forced to pull out of the festival as he is in custody after pleading guilty to cannabis trafficking.
A statement on his Stories read: ‘Management here Digga has asked us to share a message with fans.
“Guys, I’m sorry but you still have me here so I won’t be able to be at Wireless this weekend. I’m just as heartbroken as you guys are but God willing I’ll be gone very soon. Thank you all for your support and prayers.”
In May, the drill artist pleaded guilty to two drug charges after his arrest by police was broadcast on Instagram Live.
Digga D, whose real name is Rhys Angelo Emile Herbert, pleaded guilty to one count relating to the importation of cannabis on or before July 11, 2023.
Herbert also admitted a second charge of supplying cannabis to others between October 2022 and February 21 this year.
Another hearing is due to take place at Lincoln Crown Court later this month, where Herbert will learn whether a non-jury trial, known as a Newton Hearing, is needed to decide the level of his involvement.
“In the meantime, you will remain in custody,” Judge Hirst told Herbert during a hearing in May.
The drill artist, whose tracks have been heard by millions, was arrested at a property in Bracebridge Heath near Lincoln in February while streaming on Instagram Live.
Nicki Minaj, 21 Savage, Doja Cat and J Hus were confirmed as headliners for this year’s Wireless Festival in January.
The three-day event will return to its original home, Finsbury Park in north London, between 12 and 14 July.
Speaking about the announcement, London-born rapper 21 Savage said: “I’m so happy to be returning home to the UK and headlining Wireless for the first time.”
On Friday, a statement revealed that Wireless would end at 7pm on Sunday, an hour before England’s Euro 2024 match.
While bosses shared updates on the festival a day before it was set to kick off, many fans were quick to vent their fury in the comments.
Digga D later took to Instagram to confirm that he had been forced to pull out of the festival as he is in custody after pleading guilty to cannabis trafficking.
Elsewhere, Future, Ice Spice, Asake, Rema, Gunna and Sean Paul have all been confirmed for what promises to be a mind-blowing weekend.
The weekend will also feature celebrity DJs and broadcasters from BBC 1Xtra: DJ Target, Kenny Allstar, Nadia Jae, Remi Burgz, Seani B and Snoochie Shy.
Although it began as a primarily rock and pop festival in 2005, Wireless has in recent years focused on urban music.
Last year, Wireless signed a five-year deal with Haringey Council to host Finsbury Park every summer until at least 2027.
The 2023 edition featured Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, D-Block Europe and 50 Cent over the weekend.
And in 2022, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, SZA and Megan Thee Stallion all delivered stellar performances.
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