If you happened to be wandering along the Mersey from Aigburth on the 1st of September, you might have been surprised to find the usually quiet suburb of Liverpool transformed into the bustling home of Fusion Festival. This vibrant music festival, relocated from Birmingham in 2016, takes over the Otterspool Promenade’s Adventure Centre for two days, drawing massive crowds to witness some of the biggest names in music.
Under a cloudless sky, Grime artist Yungen kicked off the festival. Known for blending rap and R&B influences, Yungen didn’t waste time engaging with the audience, hyping them up with crowd-pleasers like Feelings (Wifey) and his Top 10 hit Bestie. His energy on stage, combined with a declaration of Liverpool as his “second hometown,” had the crowd dancing and clapping along.
As Yungen wrapped up his set, Capital FM’s Graeme Smith took to the mic to introduce the next act, Raye. With her hair in a tight bun, ready for an energetic performance, Raye’s stage presence was beyond her years. Her hits Friends and Cigarette had the crowd bopping, while her charm and humility shone through as she shared the inspiration behind each song. Having worked with the likes of Jonas Blue and Jax Jones, Raye demonstrated her growth as a performer, commanding the stage with ease.
The festival continued to build momentum as Becky Hill took the stage, her powerful voice contrasting with her delicate champagne-colored outfit. Hill’s hits, like Gecko (Overdrive) and her collaborations with Oliver Heldens, had the crowd buzzing. Her set was a masterclass in vocal control and stage presence.
Next up was the dynamic MNEK, who brought a fusion of dance-pop, house, R&B, and garage to the festival. Known for hits like Never Forget You and Ready for Your Love, MNEK’s polished performance had the audience in a frenzy. Following this, Disciples, a British trio, kept the energy high with an eclectic set, interacting seamlessly with the crowd.
As the evening approached, Clean Bandit took the stage to massive applause. Despite the absence of Grace Chatto, the two remaining members didn’t disappoint. With two powerhouse female vocalists and a live violinist, the crowd was treated to unforgettable performances of Solo, Rockabye, and Symphony. Their set was electric, and the energy only continued to rise.
The penultimate act of the day, Jess Glynne, captivated the audience with her striking red hair and signature soulful voice. Wearing a chic white playsuit, Jess delivered a stunning set featuring fan-favorites like Rather Be, Hold My Hand, and Take Me Home. Her warm interaction with the crowd and effortless vocals created an enchanting atmosphere.
To close out the night, the legendary David Guetta took the stage. The French DJ, producer, and songwriter delivered an awe-inspiring show filled with strobe lights, neon visuals, smoke, confetti, and fireworks. Performing to a packed crowd, Guetta brought the house down with his high-energy beats, ensuring that the first day of Fusion Festival ended on an unforgettable high.
