Five of the best at Wireless Festival

Image: Wireless Festival

Celebrations of pop, hip-hop and dance music don't come much bigger than Wireless Festival. Recent years have seen the likes of Kanye West, Jay Z and Drake topping the bill (read our Wireless 2014 review when Yeezy dominated), with this year boasting the likes of Calvin Harris, Chase & Status and Kygo. 

See the full Wireless festival line up.

As such there's an abundance of big names you need to envelop yourself in when it takes place in July. Unsure who should be getting your attention above all? Then allow us to recommend our five top picks from the extravaganza...

The 1975

The 1975 have gone from a much maligned indie band to genuine world beaters. The ridiculously titled I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It doesn't do much to keep the haters away but it does contain some absolute tunes, not least lead single 'Love Me'.

At a festival where music snobs aren't likely to be abundant, there's a huge opportunity for the 1975 to smash it and their Friday night slot will be a shimmering affair. 

Henry Lewis 

The 1975 tickets.

Craig David's TS5

Craig David tickets.

One thing Craig David isn't in 2016 is elusive. The triumphant return to the pop consensus (propelled by Big Narstie collab 'When the bassline drops) has been backed up with festival appearances at a plethora of gatherings around the country, proving his enduring worth to the country.

Wireless is the perfect fit for him and his TS5 project though, where Craig's crooning and cavorting through the poppier side of garage and R&B is a proper Saturday night treat. Even if you plan to see him elsewhere, he's that good he's worth catching more than once.

Jimmy Coultas

Read Throwback Thursday: Craig David 'Born to do it'.

Craig David tickets.

Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals

Anderson .Paak tickets.

One of the rising stars of U.S hip hop, Anderson .Paak has recently been signed to Dr Dre's Aftermath record label following the release of one of the best albums of 2016, Malibu.

Far from just being a two bit rapper, .Paak can play drums and also possesses a deliciously soulful singing voice. His sunshine vibes and infectious grooves are made for the festival circuit and there'll be few performances better than his Sunday slot.

Read Anderson .paak Malibu review.

HL

Young Thug

Young Thug tickets.

Is there a more divisive figure in US hip hop right now than Young Thug? Few polarise opinion quite like the Atlanta native, but there's no denying his performance on the hip hop have Sunday will be anything but dull.

Recent track 'Gangster Shit' (listen above) is evidence of his unique flow over a banging Wheezy beat, but his gender flouncing off kilter style is just as much a draw as his swaggering grooves.

JC

Bugzy Malone

Bugzy Malone tickets.

With the grime scene mostly emanating from London it was about time Manchester stepped up to the mark and in Malone, the city has a spokesperson. The MC is an incredible lyricist and this has gained him a loyal fan base up North and his appearance in the capital city is the perfect opportunity for him to widen his appeal.

His Saturday performance will be full of wordplay and warning and that makes him totally worth a watch - and prove he's more than just his high profile beef with Chip.   

HL

Like this? Try Skepta 'Konnichiwa' review.

Tickets are no longer available for this event