On 27th June, country music fans took over BST Hyde Park for a day full of sunshine, emotions, live music and line dancing throughout the park. Fans explore the festival with anticipation throughout the day, ahead of Garth Brooks’ closing set later that day. This marks the biggest show BST Hyde Park has put on as they expanded ticket capacity due to the demand for Brooks’ return.
Kicking off the festival, British country music duo The Shires take to the Great Oak Stage, charming the crowd with their flawless vocals and impressive stage presence. To end their set, they brought out a friend to teach a line dance, which created a sea of fans dancing simultaneously throughout. American country singer-songwriter Alexandra Kay followed, performing a cover of Chappell Roan’s hit ‘Pink Pony Club’, incorporating crowd participation. Kay split the crowd in half during her original song ‘Tomorrow Problems’ to create a call and response.
Crowe Boys united fans at the Rainbow Stage with impeccable melodies, which produced a wave of energy that rippled throughout the crowd. Throughout their set time they built a loving, positive, joyful atmosphere which leaves your heart melting. Rising star Chanel Yates brought her ‘Big Girl Boots’ to Hyde Park, drawing in an unbelievable amount of people, having everyone on their feet dancing and singing from start to end. Yates had the crowd's attention from the minute she leapt onto the stage in her sparkly pink corset and bubbly personality.
As the evening was slowly approaching, Ashley McBryde gracefully stepped onto the Great Oak Stage to deliver a refreshing sense of authenticity. McBryde’s set was filled with powerful vocals, exceptional songwriting and joy rippled throughout the park. She has an ability to balance raw emotion through upbeat tracks, leaving fans dancing instead of sobbing. McBryde’s stage presence is like no other, keeping the crowd engaged, swaying and harmonising throughout her entire set.
Closing the Rainbow Stage, Jackson Dean delivered one of the most memorable performances of the day. The American country singer-songwriter was met with a crowd filling the park before singing tracks that every single fan could relate to through their own experiences. Dean sang about grief, trauma and love, which assembled an audience feeling every single emotion their bodies could possibly feel. ‘Heaven To Betsy’ dived into the grief side of life while tracks like ‘Fearless’ explored love and heartbreak.
Over on the Great Oak Stage for the last time that night ahead of Garth Brooks, Zac Brown Band took to the stage and delivered a magnificent multi-instrument set packed with banjos, guitars, drums, fiddles and percussion all playing in harmony with one another. The crowd sang every word with their chest, threw their worries away and lived in the moment like the world outside was non-existent. Zac Brown Band were an excellent warm-up for the crowd to have a taste of the rest of the evening.
As the time was creeping up for Brooks to enter the stage, the sun started to set, raindrops slowly falling after the audience prayed for this due to the extreme heatwave, which led to a double rainbow forming above the stage.
Before Brooks entered the stage, Hyde Park announced this show as a history-making event, as Brooks hadn’t returned to the UK in 32 years, which meant the demand was extremely high, so they extended the capacity for this one-night-only event. Five minutes before show time, a timer was projected on the screen. During the last 10 seconds, the audience counted down in unison and anticipation for the night some have waited a lifetime to witness.
As Brooks strolled onto the stage, a wave of cheering radiated throughout the park. Emotions were high, tears were being shed, smiles were being seen, and excitement was all over. The minute he started singing, he became stunned as the crowd sang along throughout the night and consistently gasped “OMG!” and “WOW!” as Brooks never expected this reaction on his return.
Midway through his set, Brooks shone a spotlight on each member of his band and gave them their moment and a song to shine on their own alongside him. The way Brooks demonstrates care and love to his band shows exactly why they have stuck by him since the beginning of his career decades ago. This was such a unique way that has never been seen before, where an artist gives their band so much credit and appreciation for a section of the set to shine individually.
For Brooks' encore, he came on with just himself and a guitar. Brooks went on to give an emotional speech and share his gratitude with his fans: "I'm not sure what the future holds, but you bet your a** I'm coming back here as soon as I can”. The crowd was ruffled with joy and excitement, hoping and praying it would be sooner than previously. Ending his set, he stripped back and performed a Billy Joel cover of 'Piano Man', the crowd sang along and echoed back while he took in what he’s waited 32 years to do again across the pond. Brooks finished his Hyde Park set with fans' favourite track 'Friends In Low Places'.
From many incredible rising stars and major artists, BST Hyde Park once again delivered a fantastic day of live music and helped give country music a bigger platform throughout the years. Hyde Park's support to all artists, independent and label, will never go unnoticed.
Chloe Ridgley
Image: @trevorgeorge03 @bonmk1
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