Wireless is a very cosy festival. With extensive corporate sponsorship, you can indulge in a gourmet burger or Swedish barbeque (which is remarkably like a British barbeque), play computer games or, if you’re so inclined, watch a brief fashion show. None of these, we should point out, constitute an entirely negative experience – what would a music festival be without grilled meat? - but it was shameful to have these extras infringe on the Bella Union stage.

Already slightly-insultingly located on a tiny bandstand, Bella Union also had the added grief of regularly having to compete with the aforementioned fashion show PA that flanked it. Not a good look.

Day one of Wireless was blessed with lashings of sunshine and a decent handful of great sets. Fischerspooner’s camp electro cabaret went down a smash with dance routines like ‘True Faith’, while N.A.S.A came with some extraterrestrial jivers of their own to liven up their DJ set. Digitalism were solid, as was Jack Penate (pictured) and Dizzee Rascal flexed his A-list muscle with hit after summer hit.

Basement Jaxx, the day’s headliners, closed proceedings like no other act can. It’s easy to forget how many great songs Simon Ratcliffe and Felix Buxton have produced over the years, but they have been an outstanding hit machine and have the stage show to match.

In comparison, Sunday’s line-up seemed a bit lacking. Barclays probably spent the budget on Kanye and had to fill the gaps. But, Kanye being Kanye, he closed the weekend in superstar style. Chic, sexy and bouncing. Job done.

Jonny Martin
Photo: Andrew Kendall