Pharrell

Pharrell and more will join Stevie Wonder at British Summer Time Hyde Park

by
Following the announcement that Stevie Wonder will take to the stage in Hyde Park to perform his masterpiece Songs In the Key of Life in its entirety, Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park are excited to announce three spectacular new additions to the Sunday line-up.
 
But fans should act quickly as this amazing show is nearly sold out and the last few tickets are going fast.
 
Considered to be one of the world’s most prolific producers and performers, Pharrell Williams is the first new addition to the Sunday billing. The force behind so many incredible smash hits, including Kelis’ “Milkshake”, N.E.R.D.s “Lap Dance” and of course 2014’s Grammy-Award winning and feel-good track of the year “Happy”. Pharrell has worked with music legends from Britney to Justin Timberlake, Daft Punk to Snoop Dogg, and will be sure to drop it like it’s hot this summer.
 
Of Stevie Wonder, Pharrell has said – "Stevie Wonder was a fixture in my life as a child. His music is probably the closest thing to auditory transcendence."
 
 
Joining Stevie and Pharrell on the main stage is soul-singer extraordinaire Corinne Bailey Rae. The BRIT-nominated and two-time Grammy-Award winning artist rose to prominence with her breezily beautiful singles “Put Your Records On” and “Like A Star”, and has since released two albums, her multi-million-selling eponymous debut and the Mercury Prize-nominated The Sea. With her brand new studio album The Heart Speaks In Whispers out for release on May 13th, Corinne’s uplifting and charismatic performance – described last week as “mesmerizing” by the Evening Standard – will be the perfect soundtrack to a Sunday evening in Hyde Park. 
 
Corinne Bailey Rae says, “I have been a fan of Stevie Wonder my whole life and saw the 'Songs In The Key of Life’ show at Madison Square Gardens. I cried, I danced and I had massive smile on my face throughout the show. It’s a dream come true to be asked to join Stevie Wonder when he brings this amazing show to Hyde Park, and also to be on the stage with Pharrell, who is a huge inspiration to me, and KING, who are my friends and musical collaborators.”
 
Also taking to the stage with their “nu-soul” sound is Los Angeles-based KING. The trio is composed of sisters Paris and Amber Strother and Anita Bias, whose whooshing synths, spiraling harmonies and detailed songwriting create a truly unique and jazzy sound – one that has been compared to the likes of Solange Knowles and Estelle. 
 
Pharrell Williams, Corinne Bailey Rae and KING will all join Stevie Wonder to form an incredible line-up for the day of soul and R&B. The hot new additions to the line-up follow the announcement that Stevie Wonder will perform his masterpiece Songs In The Key of Life in its entirety, for a truly epic, must-see show from one of the most prolific artists of all time.  
 
Hugely acclaimed in the US, Songs In The Key of Life Tour has run for 18 months, having been extended many times due to phenomenal public demand.  Coming to the UK for the very first time, there is extra reason for celebration because 2016 is the album’s 40th Anniversary year. 

Pharrell & Kanye West close out Friday at Wireless Festival 2014

by

Wireless Festival returned to London to host another set of superstar artists at this ever popular UK Festival.  Taking place over two locations this year, the other being Birmingham, the 2014 edition of Wireless organised a huge set of headliners including Kanye West, Pharrell, Drake, Bruno Mars and Outkast.

However due to a last minute cancellation, Wireless fans were disapointed to learn that Canadian hip hop mega star Drake was not going to perform to due health reasons preventing him from travelling to the UK.  Not to worry however as Kanye West agreed to headline both Friday and Saturday in London whilst Rudimental would play an extended performance in Birmingham.

London turned on the weather for Friday and the main stage hosted Foxes, Iggy Azalea, Tinie Tempah, Pharrell Williams and Kanye West.

Kanye West's return to London drew a sellout crowd in the new home of Wireless, Finsbury Park.  The sound of barking dogs signals “Black Skinhead” from West’s latest album Yeezus.  As the sun began to set a silver masked Kanye appears on the stage with the crowd giving him a huge cheer.   Taking control of the stage, Kanye moves straight into hits “On Sight”, “I Don’t Like” and then his massive anthem from last year “Mercy”.

Photo courtesy of Wireless Festival – Andrew Whitton

It wouldn’t be a Kanye performance without a bit of banter and a message to the crowd stating that the media are unfair and portray him in a negative way.  As the boo’s start to arise through the crowd, he says to the Wireless crowd “You guys are my clique” and then belts out “Clique” immediately drowning out the boo’s with the crowd singing his chorus.

Going through his back catalogue, notable tracks, “Stronger”, “Nigga’s In Paris”, “Run this town” and more keep the Yezzy fans happy as the sky turns grey and a few drops of rain start to fall.

Kanye’s pulling power and popularity is notable visible as the majority of the 40,000 crowd watch his set, but his mid performance rants don’t help the festival crowd and you visibly notice that they start filtering out.  Kanye will head back to the Wireless Main Stage tomorrow so lets see what he has to offer up then!

Before Kanye took to the stage, Pharrell performed to a massive crowd whist the sun was shining down on London town.  Complete with his trademark hat, white tee and jeans, his performance is well received performing numerous tracks from his latest album Girl and a number of collaborations he has done through the year.  Kicking off with “Lose yourself to dance”, Pharrell had the crowd singing the whole hour and it was only appropriate that he ended with “Happy”.  The similes of the fans said it all, well done Pharrell!

Pharrell Williams Wireless Festival 4th July Tracklist:

  • Lose yourself to dance
  • Come get it Bae
  • Frontin
  • Hunter
  • Larilyn Monroe
  • Hot In Here
  • Jump Jump
  • Rockstar
  • Lapdance
  • She wants to move
  • Beautiful
  • Drop it like its hot
  • Know who you are
  • Hollaback Girl
  • Blurred Lines
  • Get Lucky
  • Happy

Photo courtesy of Wireless Festival – Scott Salt

Tinie Tempah also gave an explosive set, but what else do you expect from one of the UK’s biggest artists.  Tracks performed from both Disc-Overy and Demonstration showed that there is a reason this is Tinie’s fifth appearance at Wireless.  He takes control of the stage and gives the crowd just what they need in a crazy hot day in at a summer festival, some great tunes to dance and sing to.

Friday’s Wireless has come to an end but this is just the beginning of the weekend and we look forward to seeing  the likes of Rudimental, Wiz Khalifa, Labrinth, and more!  Lets just hope the weather plays nice and there isn’t too much rain!