American rapper Megan Thee Stallion, Nigerian singer Burna Boy and US artist Doja Cat are all set to join the already star-studded line-up, with headliners including the likes of Tyler, the Creator, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj. If you want to see a full list of the line-up, you can go to the festival’s website here.

The festival will take place across three different venues; London’s Crystal Palace Park, Finsbury Park and Birmingham’s NEC, the latter of which was last involved with the festival back in 2014. Artist ASAP Rocky is set to start things off at Crystal Palace Park, and it’s an especially significant event for his UK fans, what with it being his first concert in the country for six whole years.

Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and SZA will be headlining the following week at Finsbury Park, with a historic all-female line-up taking place. It will also be a significant moment for SZA, being her first-ever UK headline festival appearance.

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Other significant artists making an appearance include British rapper Dave, who recently was awarded Best Hip Hop/ Grime/ Rap Act at the 2022 BRIT Awards. Despite Storm Eunice forcing him to make some changes to his touring schedule, he should be back in the full swing of things this July when he headlines at the Birmingham NEC. Last year, the headlining acts included the likes of Future, Skepta and Migos.

If you can’t make it to any of the shows, no worries; the BBC has you covered. BBC Radio 1Xtra will be airing the performances, as well as giving us exclusive interviews, so you’ll be getting the best of both worlds either way. Some of the station’s DJs will also be given the opportunity to host stages and perform their own sets across the festival’s duration. It’s the first time Wireless Festival has worked with the station, but we can hope it’s a promising sign of things to come.

If you’re interested in getting tickets, best act fast. They’ve gone on sale today already, having started at noon, but you can get there quick by following this link.

Masterclasses will also be offered as part of the program, offered by industry professionals that cover diverse roles including tour manager, sound engineer, and stage technician. The artists selected will also be given the opportunity to perform a hometown show.

Submissions@everythingrnb.com

let’s goooooo!! pic.twitter.com/bXPWKmmput

— Ace ♣️ (@DJAce) November 8, 2021

DJ Ace is a presenter for BBC Radio 1Xtra, as well as being their R&B specialist. A graduate from the Brit Performing Arts School, Ace and his old colleague Vis were one of the earliest presenters on BBC Radio 1Xtra, winning a gold Sony Radio Academy Award for their lunchtime show in 2004. In fact, since leaving the BBC, Vis went to start his own talent seeking company, Renowned Group, with British star Wretch 32 in 2013. The two industry heavyweights, once dubbed the Troublemakers of Radio, clearly know what talent looks like.

On the project, Ace says “I’m really excited about unearthing, developing and showcasing some of the next-gen from around the UK in live music, setting through this project and tour. I am hoping to find some real vocal gems in some of the underrepresented parts of the country,” according to Musicweek.

Alongside DJ Ace as its figurehead, the program has been designed and developed by Yaw Owusu and Ray Paul of The Playmaker Group. On the project, Owusu says “R&B music creators and audiences in the UK have both been under-represented and under-served within mainstream offers of Black Music so we are really excited to kick off Everything R&B Live with Ace. This project will give both the artists and the audience an authentic experience that is not just going to be top quality but an eye-opening education whilst contributing to the growth of the new R&B scene in the UK.”

Prospective artists can apply for the project right now, with applications open until the 23rd of November.

To apply, send an email to submissions@everythingrnb.com with the title R&B TOUR. The email must include a link of two of your songs, alongisde the Word document containing a written biography. Good luck to everyone who enters!

West Midlands police have since said a man, whom they did not name, had sustained a slash wound, at 10pm, during an assault in the backstage area of Arena Birmingham. According to them he was treated by on-site medical staff and did not require hospital treatment.

The wounded man has since been confirmed as 29-year-old UK rapper Krept, whose real name is Casyo Johnson. In the early hours of Sunday morning, Konan (whose real name is Karl Wilson) tweeted in reference to Krept’s condition: “Bro’s good.”

Bros good

— REVENGE IS SWEET NOV 1st (@konanplaydirty) October 5, 2019

Police have said no arrests have been made in connection with the incident, but officers were speaking to potential witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage. They asked for anyone with information about the assault to get in touch.

However, in an unrelated incident, a 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a knife, at the Arena Birmingham, on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, later on Krept himself responded, which said: “My people thanks for the messages I’m good, ill be back in no time. God was with me trust me. Cant keep a good man down.”

My people thanks for the messages Im good, ill be back in no time. God was with me trust me. Cant keep a good man down — REVENGE IS SWEET NOV 1st (@kreptplaydirty) October 6, 2019

The rapper, who has performed with the like of Ed Sheeran, later took to Instagram to add: “Was really looking forward to this week so I’m keeping the same energy I had, it’s gonna be a good week. Thank you for all the messages I’m good truss me. Could have been a lot worse. Stay positive my people. Happy Sunday.”

After the incident the sold-out concert was abandoned, leaving the 15,000 strong crowd disappointed. The concert, which started at 7:30pm and was supposed to finish at 11pm, was due to include performances from the likes of Aitch, French Montana, Ms Banks, and the headliner Wizkid. The concert was being livestreamed on 1Xtra, Radio 1, and BBC iPlayer.

Rappers Krept and Konan were not among the listed performers. Fans have said the gig was abandoned without explanation, other than an apology, shortly after a surprise performance from the garage star AJ Tracey, which prompted boos from the audience.

Speaking about the incident a Radio 1 spokesman, said: “Following an isolated serious incident, we have had to stop 1Xtra Live in Birmingham. We are cooperating fully with the police to establish what has happened. We’re sorry to everyone who attended 1Xtra Live in Birmingham for the early finish. However, the health and safety of everyone involved is always our top priority.”