Wireless Festival, Hyde Park, London
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Your support makes all the difference.Over three days, Hyde Park became a sunny mass of music lovers, as a variety of genres and names took to the stage.
Tinie Tempah, with his cool charisma, won the crowd over with ease. He was followed by Plan B, who certainly had the attitude, but on this occasion not the volume to match; the suited-and-booted star didn't hit all the notes, and failed to hold the interest of the audience in places.
David Guetta offered a slice of Ibiza whilst looking slightly haggard; his insane tour schedule was no doubt to blame – but his high-energy set was unaffected. What's always so noticeable with Guetta is the sheer joy playing out on his face when he's behind the decks; who needs sleep when you have music?
The Black Eyed Peas produced a fabulous big-gig performance. A scantily clad Fergie performed "Big Girls Don't Cry", and the ever so cool Will.i.am took charge with an impressive DJ set, sampling Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana whilst standing on an elevated crane in an electric-green jacket.
They pumped out quirky hits, from "Don't Funk with My Heart" to "Boom Boom Pow", illustrating their versatility on the music scene. "Where Is the Love" saw cameras panning around an endless sea of heart signs made by people's hands, and Guetta bounced back on stage for "I Gotta Feeling". It was a truly spectacular performance.
Sunday saw Pulp headline – and the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. Their secret guest-appearance at Glastonbury this year might have left some fans who had bought tickets for Hyde Park slightly disgruntled, as Wireless had been announced as their comeback gig, but after opening with their seminal anthem "Do You Remember the First Time?" Jarvis Cocker appeared to be even more charismatic on stage than in his heyday – and the band continued to play all their best hits. From "Sorted for E's and Whizz" to "Disco 2000", "Babies" and "Underwear", Cocker's strong voice carried well and his rapport with the audience was honest and humourous.
Ending with the famous Britpop anthem "Common People" they reaffirmed their place as a band who have shaped the landscape of British music – and their 2011 comeback tour will no doubt be the must-see gig of the year.
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