Drake’s final Wireless Show ends early, sparking fan outrage over timing, curfews, and access issues

Drake’s final headline performance at London’s Wireless Festival ended in confusion and fury after the rapper abruptly wrapped up his set just 40 minutes in—leaving thousands of fans feeling shortchanged.

Taking the stage earlier than expected on Sunday night, the Canadian megastar warned the crowd he would play until organisers cut his microphone, referencing the event’s strict 9:30pm curfew. But despite the promise, his short set left attendees stunned as it ended less than an hour after it began.

Compared to his high-energy, guest-filled performances on Friday and Saturday—each clocking around 90 minutes—the closing night felt flat. Only three guests joined him: Popcaan, Rema, and Vybz Kartel. Fans who’d seen 13 surprise artists on Saturday and six on Friday were left underwhelmed by the final night’s lack of spectacle.

The confusion began earlier in the day when Wireless organisers quietly removed Drake’s scheduled 6:25pm set from the official timetable. While Vybz Kartel and Burna Boy performed as planned, Drake appeared suddenly just minutes after Burna Boy’s finale, launching into an unreleased collaboration with British rapper Central Cee. Rather than join Drake on stage, Central Cee was spotted in the front row, mouthing his verse as it played across the screens.

Drake’s demeanour was noticeably different—less joyful, more frustrated. His performance, though laced with hits like Controlla, Find Your Love, and One Dance, was rushed and rearranged, leaving fans unable to sing along. Despite his efforts to win them over—declaring “London, I will love you for the rest of my life”—the vibe never truly recovered.

The crowd’s energy briefly lifted when Rema appeared, lighting up the stage with Calm Down and Fever. But the moment was fleeting. After a cameo from Vybz Kartel, Drake played just two more songs before mounting a crane platform and waving goodbye as I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston blasted through the speakers—just as he had done the previous two nights.

For fans who’d caught wind of the symbolic Whitney sign-off via social media, the message was clear: it was over. And it had barely begun.

On Friday, Drake had already fallen foul of the venue’s curfew, with both his and Lauryn Hill’s microphones cut at 10:30pm. Saturday’s show ran more smoothly. But on Sunday, starting his set 45 minutes before the final cut-off led many to question whether organisers, or Drake himself, were to blame for the brevity.

As crowds funneled toward the exits, grumbles turned to anger. “We queued longer to get in than Drake was on stage,” one fan muttered. Others appeared unaware of the park’s local curfew rules.

Worse still, distress broke out at the accessible exit area. Fans, some visibly disabled, were seen shouting and pleading with security after being told they’d need to wait in a confined space until receiving clearance to leave. The tense scene quickly descended into chaos, with attendees banging on barriers and calling for help.

Though Drake had promised fans an unforgettable weekend, Sunday’s performance ended not with a bang—but with confusion, frustration, and a bitter aftertaste.