Not even the threat of thunder and lightning could deter this year's Parklife festival crowd. Sure, it was a bit of a pain when the yellow weather warnings came to fruition, but once the storm had passed, festival-goers came out in force.
Before all that, the day started off rather nicely as the sun shone down on day two of Parklife 2023, as music-fans prepared themselves for the day ahead, as acts including Flo, Crystal Millz and Mella De prepared to warm up the afternoon crowds.
And what a way to start the afternoon. 2pm in the Eat Your Own Ears tent, and it's jammed for JPEGMAFIA. The Brooklyn rap icon turned the crowd into a swirling, slightly terrifying mosh pit within seconds of taking the stage, with tracks like Scaring The Hoes, Bald, 1539 N. Calvert, the crowd chanting 'peggy, peggy', between each track.
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Wearing a number nine Haaland shirt, he screamed himself hoarse, only stopping for his auto-tuned acapella version of Carly Ray Jepsen's Call Me Maybe. He ended on Fentanyl Tester, the Kelis-sampling anthem from his latest album with Danny Brown, as sweating, wide-eyed fans spilled out back into the main arena. There may not be a more exhilarating half hour this whole weekend.
Over on the Parklife Stage, Flo displayed a masterclass in tight choreography and flawless vocals backed by a live band that elevated the songs. Each member had a chance to shine as they serenaded the steadily growing crowd with songs like Feature Me, Immature and Losing You.
The majority of the crowd were obvious Flo fans but they were the most lively when the girls belted out their debut single Cardboard Box. Always engaging with the crowd in between songs, Stella Quaresma proudly asked “Has anybody ever put their exes sh** in a cardboard box?" Which elicited a roar from the crowd before they went into the high energy breakup anthem which almost everyone was singing along to.
But, it was all fun and games until a message came over the tannoy at The Valley stage just towards the end of Mella Dee's set and all music at Parklife was turned off as Heaton Park braced itself for thunderstorms. Fans at The Valley stage were told to ‘move three metres’ away from large structures this afternoon as dark clouds graced the sky ahead of warned thunderstorms.
And then the heavens opened as thunderstorms and torrential rain forced Parklife to make a ‘full show stop’. But as anyone who has attended the festival before will know, a little bit of rain - well a lot - wasn't about to stop this party. Soon enough the sun made a reappearance, and a reinvigorated Parklife crowd kicked into gear.
And as the clock struck five, crowds packed back into the main arena, parading around the grass and cheering one another on as the sunshine made a welcome return and the music began again. It was service as normal. Becky Hill, donning an all-silver ensemble featuring a sparkling seashell bralette and silver knee-high boots, graced the Parklife Stage - a quiet confidence clearly on show.
Rattling through some of her biggest hits and collaborations - think 'Afterglow', 'Remember' and 'My Heart Goes' - the recent downpours felt like nothing more than a distant memory. A nod to Frankie Knuckles with a rendition of 'You've Got The Love' added a disco element and it was clear this singer was in her element.
With a grand introduction and much hype, Wu-Tang brought the ruckus to Heaton Park with a full band and a bag full of classics. It’s a busy stage with RZA out first on stage as hype man before bringing out GZA, Ghostface, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa and U-God.
All in their early 50s now, they tussle a bit for mic time, but tracks like Bring Da Ruckus, Clan In Da Front and C.R.E.A.M and Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’wit still pack a punch. Nas takes the stage for the second half, in another set jam-packed with gems like Hate Me Now, Got Ur Self A Gun, It Ain’t Hard To Tell, Get Down, Represent and Halftime. It’s a better set, the focus solely on the Illmatic legend. RZA then returned to the stage for a live cover of the Beatles’ Come Together. It is, as they say, a vibe.
'There is nothing that terrifies a man more than when a woman appears completely deranged' reads the screen behind Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem. Donning a white shirt, black blazer and skirt and tie that reads 'big man tie', it is just the energy we need on stage right now. Hits like 'F***** Wizardly' land perfectly as do her empowering dance routines - the perfect entry point into the final acts of the night.
"We're The 1975 from Wilmslow Cheshire", declares Matty Healy, The 1975's frontman, as they take to the Parklife Stage. White lab coat on, hip flask - and later fag - in hand, the crowd can hardly contain themselves, and all he's done is state his address. Alas, we may have underestimated the power of The 1975's fan base.
Some camped outside Heaton Park last night to see them, bagging their spot right in front of the stage once the doors opened at 12, stocked up with jammy dodgers and all the provisions needed for a nine hour wait. Thankfully it was worth it.
There's a lot of chat around Matty Healy, but he and the rest of The 1975 brought their A-game to give loyal fans - and those just there for a final night dance - a set to remember.
Fan favourites such as tootimetootimetootime, Oh Caroline, Somebody Else and The Sound all went off, while girls could be seen crying happy tears to I Wanna Die (Sometimes) - the emotions clearly running high. And yes there was gyrating - lots of it - but if you looked out to the crowd, swaying, dancing, and crying happy tears - there really couldn't have been a more apt ending for this year's Parklife stage.
While the 1975 ruled the main stage, The Prodigy packed the Valley, the rave titans holding court with a set full of classic moments. Kicking off with Breathe, the loss of Keith Flint, who died in 2019, was palpable. It was a track - like so many - that was so linked to his manic stage presence that it was hard to hear it without him.
Tracks including Omen, Light Up The Sky, Voodoo People and the majestic Everybody In The Place followed, hammering the crowd into submission. Then the tribute came, as everyone knew it would. Green lasers drew out Keith’s head with devil horns for Firestarter.
It was was a brief blessing for the man who was as much the Prodigy as Liam Howlett and Maxim, who was as vital and devastating an MC as he’s ever been. “Rest in peace, my brother,” he said as the band fired into No Good For Me. It was respectful, not maudlin, and as the band continue on with their stadium rave, educating another generation, you can’t help feeling it’s what he would have wanted.
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