Two years ago, she opened for BLACKPINK at BST Hyde Park. This year, Sabrina Carpenter returned to the stage - not as a support act, but as the headliner of two back-to-back sold-out shows. 

Since her debut, Carpenter’s fanbase has grown exponentially, fuelled by the commercial success of her latest album, ‘Short n’ Sweet’. This was evident in the sea of fans pouring into Hyde Park, many dressed in sparkling replicas of her now-iconic tour outfits and brandishing glitter cowboy hats.

Before her 9pm set, a stellar supporting lineup set the tone for the day. Things kicked off on the Rainbow Stage with Sola, whose dreamy, soulful tunes gently warmed up the early crowd and set a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. Her understated confidence and smooth vocals gave the early arrivals something special - highlights included her effortlessly layered harmonies and a quietly commanding stage presence that hinted she won’t be playing smaller stages for much longer.

Next was rising pop enchantress Amber Mark, who brought infectious energy and charisma to the main stage. Her sultry vocals and rhythmic grooves had the crowd swaying, and her standout moment came when she delivered a bold, funky cover of ‘Money Talks (Dirty Cash)’ - a playful, nostalgic nod that got the audience cheering and singing along.

After Amber Mark, the energy kept building with beabadoobee, who took to the stage beaming in her hometown. Clearly moved by the moment, she told the crowd it was the biggest show she’d ever played - and her joy was infectious. Her soft, wistful vocals and grunge-tinged guitar melodies struck a perfect balance between vulnerability and attitude, having the crowd dancing, a true feat in the London rain. 

Next came Clairo, who glided effortlessly across the stage, her signature headphones on and a glass of wine in hand. At several points, she stopped to marvel at the sheer size of the audience, visibly shocked in a charming, genuine way. Her soft, airy vocals and introspective lyrics created moments of quiet connection amidst the festival buzz, with standouts like ‘Bags’ and ‘Steeeam’ echoing across the park. With the help of her jazz-inspired band, she lulled the audience into a mellow yet magical intimate space. 

Finally, as dusk settled over Hyde Park, it was time for Sabrina Carpenter to take the stage - and she made sure the wait was worth it. Opening her set with a newscast, she burst onto the stage to deafening roars, debuting a striking red bodysuit - a nod to the Union Jack. The production rivalled her stadium shows, with intricately planned costuming, staging and choreography. Her signature humour was on full display, from her witty crowd banter (“I have to arrest you for being too hot!”) to a hilarious on-screen “couples dance contest” that kept the audience entertained between songs. 

She powered through a hit-packed setlist, including ‘Nonsense’, ‘Juno’, and her brand-new track ‘Manchild’, which was met with roaring approval. The volume was unbelievable, the crowd electric, and Sabrina shone as she turned Hyde Park into one giant, sparkling party. The energy could be felt all the way from the barrier to the back exits, as thousands sang and swayed in unison. 

Though famously short (n’ Sweet), her presence was larger than life as she effortlessly commanded 65,000 people to dance, “get down”, or “repeat after” her. By regularly interacting with the crowd, she made the open space feel like a personal show for each member of the audience.

The show ended on the perfect note as she played her career-defining hit ‘Espresso’. As fireworks lit up the sky and fans spilled out into the night still singing, it was clear that the popstar had once again made her mark and proved that she's still at the top of her game, a year on from her mainstream breakthrough.

Zahra Hanif

Images: Jordan Hughes and Alfredo Flores

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