Uncle Waffles Snubbed at Wireless Festival: “Organisers Just Didn’t Care”
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- July 15, 2025
The Wireless Festival is one of the UK’s biggest music events, bringing together top international acts from hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeats, and more. Held annually in London’s Finsbury Park, this year’s edition was headlined by none other than Drake, who performed across all three days.
But not everything went smoothly, especially for South African Amapiano star Uncle Waffles. Despite being booked to perform on the Old Spice Stage, she ended up not performing at all on Day 3, and the incident has sparked widespread discussion online.
What Happened?
Uncle Waffles, known for her viral sets and global appeal, showed up at the venue two hours before her scheduled set. According to her manager, Zeus Omega, the team did everything right:
“Big stage. Big opportunity. Talent was ready 2 hours before just to make sure we make it. Got to the venue and the organisers just didn’t care… whole mission failed. Poor service. Time waited. Talent did her best to honour the show because last year was amazing. WE WERE READY.”
Big stage. Big opportunity. Talent was ready 2 hours before just to make sure we make it, got to the venue and the organisers just didn’t care … whole mission failed . Poor service. Time waited. Talent did her best to honour the show because last year was amazing. WE WERE READY. https://t.co/t8HOHVEaHi
— Zeus Omega (@zeusomega3) July 14, 2025
He also shared a video of Uncle Waffles on stage, speaking to the audience about the situation before leaving without performing.
Watch: Waffles explains why she did not perform at Wireless
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Fellow manager Kai In The Kut echoed the frustration, writing:
“The world is dancing to Amapiano, and everyone is doing their best to push the genre. There won’t be any disrespect tolerated directed at it or those who represent it. We’re risking way too much to do this.”
The world is dancing to the Amapiano and everyone is trying their best to continue pushing the genre & so there won’t be any disrespect tolerated thats directed to it or the people who represent it. We risking wayyy to much to do this and we will continue on pic.twitter.com/CMYibLuLaI
— slept through the flight🇿🇦 (@Kai_InTheKut) July 14, 2025
Why It Mattered
For Uncle Waffles, this wasn’t just another gig; it was a full-circle moment. Back in 2021, Drake reposted her viral set, helping propel her into the global spotlight. Performing at the same festival he was headlining could’ve been a powerful reminder of how far she’s come. Instead, the missed opportunity left fans and the Amapiano community disappointed.
Some fans have speculated that her set may have conflicted with major names like Burna Boy, who was on the main stage at the time. Others questioned whether African artists are given the same respect and logistical support at global festivals.
What Is Wireless Festival?
According to Festival Republic, Wireless is “the UK’s biggest and most famous urban music festival,” known for showcasing “the most talked-about names in hip-hop, grime, R&B, Afrobeats, and more.” This year’s event celebrated its 20th anniversary, but it’s clear there’s still room to grow in how artists from outside the UK are treated.
What’s Next?
Uncle Waffles handled the situation with grace. And while her fans were left disappointed, this incident has sparked important conversations about how international festivals operate, and how African genres like Amapiano should be treated on the global stage.
What Do You Think, Plugstars?
Was this just bad planning, or something deeper about how artists are prioritised?
Let us know your thoughts, because how we treat Amapiano now will shape how the world receives it tomorrow.
