Titan Festival 2022: The New Party on the Block

Marking the event’s first-ever edition, taking place at Copthall Playing Fields, home to Hendon FC, on the 21st of August; the launch of Titan festival took us back, way back to the old school.  

Headliner T-Pain was unable to perform due to contracting Covid-19. He shared on his Instagram, “To all my loyal UK fans: I’m sorry to be the one to piss you off today, but, unfortunately, I have tested positive for COVID yesterday”. He promised to “return for Titan Festival 2023 to perform for all my UK people next year”.   

So, I’m sure you’re wondering would the festival succeed when the King of Auto-Tune isn’t headlining anymore?  

The answer is an absolute yes! From the speakers echoing party tunes, down to the sizzling heat adding to the atmosphere, Titan festival was a vibe.   

As we waited for the new headliner, R&B star Lloyd, and for the sweet sounds of Bobby V and J. Holiday’s Grammy-nominated tunes to flood the speakers, we moved from tent to tent. Hip Hop Brunch served some hip-hop and dancehall classics in one tent, and the voices of UK talent such as YMG, Chante Paris and Tee Peters in another; we were more than warmed up for the main event.

At the main stage, the ladies of the night hyped up the crowd. Billboard-charting Lumidee got the crowd going with her most popular song, ‘Never Leave You’. Later, acclaimed songwriter Shontelle performed renditions of songs she’s written such as Rihanna’s reggae hit ‘Man Down’ as well as her biggest solo release, ‘Impossible’.  

J. Holiday’s set was not as successful as his fellow artists, but one thing is for sure… J Holiday sounds exactly like his recordings. Performing to a less than excited crowd for most of his set, J Holiday turned to his 15-year-old hits from his debut album ‘Back of My Lac’ to bring the crowd back to life as the sensual sex anthems ‘Suffocate’ and ‘Bed’ transported us back to 2007.  

Following on from J. Holiday’s solo performance comes eight-times Grammy-nominated Jon B, who gave a good performance. Jon B was then followed by Atlanta’s Bobby V and his band. Bobby V did not disappoint, performing his classic bangers such as ‘Tell Me’ and ‘Slow down’. He kept the crowd entertained and engaged by getting the audience to sing acapella to the hook of his hit song ‘Anonymous’. A fan rewards Bobby V for his hard work, as she throws a pair of knickers on stage. Bobby gladly picks them up and jokes: “I hope they clean-clean in between-tween”.  

Finally, we see Lloyd, who is non-stop grooving while his powerful vocals take you back. With a long list of multi-generational ’00s hits, he takes us down memory lane. From his sultry tunes of ‘Lay It Down’ and ‘You’ to his 2011 comeback hit ‘Dedicated to My Ex’.  

Lloyd finishes his set with a moment of reflection. He appeals to the crowd to tell our neighbours we “respect” and “appreciate” them. And to ourselves? “I love you”. Lloyd then brings an abrupt end to the festival, as he covers Kanye West’s single ‘Flashing Lights’, adlibbing: “I’m so flashing, I can’t help it”.     

Despite the headliner dropping out, and the abrupt ending to the festival, this event was a true success. The performers gave us their best, and the organisers have gone to great lengths to bring together a great bill of talents. From the DJ-ing superstars to up-and-coming UK artists, to Grammy-nominated superstars, Titan Festival was an opening party like no other and truly was a successful debut to the UK festival cohort.