Mahalia brands Wireless a "penis fest" for majority male line-up
Mahalia has called out Wireless Festival after it revealed an overwhelmingly male line-up for 2021, tweeting: “wireless back at it again with the penis fest. Whew I’m tired”.
All three of each day’s headliners (Future, Skepta, Migos) are male, and there are currently 44 men and five women advertised as playing.
Despite having a considerable fanbase, Megan Thee Stallion is scheduled to play, although her name appears further down the line-up.
The three-day event is due to take place from September 10th until 12th in London’s Crystal Palace Park.
Other artists and music industry commentators have also spoken out about the billing, with Miraa May writing: “All the incredible talent coming from women in the UK and this is the line up?”
Annie Mac wrote: “Wireless line up is not surprising to me in terms of the promoter’s motivations. CASH! It’s surprising that they don’t seem to care remotely for their reputation – which is becoming worse and worse by the year. The opposite of progressive. Lazy. Uninspiring. Blinded by greed.”
Posting on his Instagram stories about the news, Toddla T wrote: “As someone who sits in a music studio and spent years on radio playing and inviting artists to do live performances TRUST me ..females are arguably more skilled and more professional then blokes when coming to music writing and performance … (sic)”.
DJ Oblig shared a list of big-name female acts who the festival could have booked, including Jorja Smith, Ms Banks, Saweetie, Stefflon Don and many more.
All the incredible talent coming from women in the UK and this is the line up? Looooooooooooooool 🗑 https://t.co/DGlbKv4NIZ
— Mizzy Ackerman (@miraa_may) April 27, 2021
Nah Wireless are violating with that line up, there are BARE ladies who have shelled this year and should be there.
— Harry Pinero (@harrypinero) April 27, 2021
Wireless line up is not surprising to me in terms of the promoter’s motivations. CASH! It’s surprising that they don’t seem to care remotely for their reputation – which is becoming worse and worse by the year. The opposite of progressive. Lazy. Uninspiring. Blinded by greed.
— Annie Mac (@anniemacmanus) April 28, 2021
This why men have been getting away with making mediocre music
— ENNY (@ennyintegrity) April 27, 2021
44 men 5 women 🥴🥴🥴
Here are some names if you need help @WirelessFest @shaybomusic @MsBanks @Saweetie @stefflondon @coi_leray @ennyintegrity @miss_lafamilia @DojaCat @sza @JorjaSmith @LadyLeshurr @HERMusicx @miraa_may @RayBLK_ @LittleSimz @TEYANATAYLOR @trillarybanks6 https://t.co/jl7B0NnwAz
— Oblig (@djoblig) April 27, 2021
First release tickets to the festival have already sold out.
