BST Hyde Park | Day 6
Let’s go girls! Tonight, the legend that is Shania Twain headlined the mighty Great Oak Stage at American Express presents BST Hyde Park. Stepping up into the limelight just as the sun was setting, the country-pop star wore a Viviene Westwood matching red mini skirt and jacket with a white top and a pair of silver lace-up boots. And it was clear she was ready to party.
The set kicked off with the brilliant “Don’t Be Stupid”, and tens of thousands of cowboys began clip-clopping across the park. “All the legends play this stage,” Twain announced. “And I have played this stage before… 2003! I can’t thank you guys enough.”
Non-stop fabulous songs followed - “You Win My Love”, “Wake Up Dreaming”, “Getcha Good” and “Forever and Always”, with Twain picking up her guitar and taking to a stool to treat the audience to an acoustic sing-along of her biggest hit, “Still The One”.
“There have been a lot of people who have been with me since the release of this song,” she continued to a packed Hyde Park, as “Come On Over” began, marking Twain’s 27 years of success since her third studio album of the same name. “Come on, Harry Styles listened to it, and his mum listened to it… It’s a compliment that the music spans generations.”
Getting even further into the country swing of things, “Any Man Of Mine”, “Giddy Up” and “Boots” lit up the stage. “The country vibe is so much a part of how folk music has developed around the world… Country music has kinda come back around in fashion, right?... I don’t care if they’re cowboy boots, wellington boots… we’re going to do some s***-kicking right now!”
After a moment hugging the Great Oak that decorates the stage (“It’s thick!”), Twain dazzled the crowd with “From This Moment”, her immense vocals bringing a tear to a fair few eyes. Then came a thunderous finale, consisting of “That Don’t Impress Me Much”, “Party For Two”, “Rock This Country”, Outta Here” - and, of course, a mammoth ending with “Man, I Feel Like A Woman”.
“I will remember this forever, I promise you,” Twain declared, her eyes gleaming.
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It was as if BST Hyde Park stepped back into the glorious nineties earlier this evening, as Irish pop-rockers, The Corrs, took to the stage. “Good day, London in the sun. It is good to be back here in Hyde Park,” said a smiling Andrea Corr. Playing “Summer Sunshine”, she pointed out, “This song is appropriate [right now], let’s play it quick before it’s not…” Even the Tin Whistle made an appearance for a special performance of “Only When I Sleep”.
“The last time we were here was in 2016 and you guys have given us an incredible welcome back after [nearly] ten years,” Corr continued. As the audience whooped, the hits came out - including, “Give Me A Reason”, “What Can I Do?”, “Listen To The Radio”, “Forgiven, Not Forgotten”, “Dreams” (a Fleetwood Mac cover, and the band’s biggest UK hit), “So Young”, “Runaway” and “Breathless”.
A leopard print clad Anne-Marie took the crowd by storm, making a grand tribute to her hero and tonight’s headliner, Shania Twain. “Hello BST Hyde Park! How are you feeling? I’m going to cram as many songs in as I possibly can… How could I not wear this outfit?” The 33-year-old dished out a string of great songs, from “Birthday” and “2002” to “Unhealthy” - which had everyone singing along, and a sea of people swinging their stetsons - much to Anne-Marie’s delight. A cover of Haddaway’s “What Is Love?”, naturally, had the audience dancing their hearts out, ready and prepared for an epic night of music ahead.
Elle King from Los Angeles has previously discussed how her music is “rooted in every genre of vintage Americana” - and this was clear from her sassy, bluesy setlist. Launching with “Ain’t Country By Choice” and dropping “Little Bit Of Lovin’” - both fan favourites - the 35-year-old and her band were thrilled to be playing the UK capital. “We love London so much!” she exclaimed. “Are you guys having a good time or what? And the rain has stopped!”
Indeed, the sunshine broke through the clouds as Australian songstress, Natalie Imbruglia, started off proceedings on The Great Oak Stage. “Hello BST, thank you for being here,” she beamed to the large crowd. “We are going to get you warmed up... And thank you sunshine!” Those who were grabbing food and drinks dashed to the stage when they heard Imbruglia’s top tracks, “Wishing I Was There” and “Wrong Impression”, leading the set. “I haven’t played this park since 1998,” she said. “I’m thrilled to still be singing to audiences.” Wearing a burgundy puff-sleeve mini dress and black cowboy boots, Imbruglia teased a new track, “Have It” - a hint at the feel of her new album due out next year. “I’m going to come out and join you after this…” she declared to whooping fans, before ending with her ultimate hits, “Torn” and “Big Mistake”.
Canada-born Cate led the all-female line-up on the The Rainbow Stage today, readying the crowd with the catchy chorus from her track, “One Hit Wonder”. Influenced by noughties country-pop, the now London-based artist was thrilled to be showcasing her talents to a country music and Twain-adoring crowd. She said: “This is such a dream for me, I’m the biggest Shania Twain fan… I’m Canadian, same as our queen, Shania Twain!”
British festival favourite, Nell Mescal, was on duty to welcome the incoming Stetson-clad audience early in the afternoon. The 21-year-old Irish singer-songwriter wore a t-shirt emblazoned with ‘Let’s Go Girls’ as she played her 2023 releases “Punchline” and “Homesick”, plus “Killing Time” from her 2024 EP, “Can I Miss It For A Minute?” Her excitement to be supporting Twain was equally palpable. She said: “This is so fun. Give it up for Shania Twain - I can’t wait!”
From SXSW to the Great Escape, north London’s up-and-coming singer-songwriter Natalie Shay has been sampling her sound to music lovers all over the globe. Today, she opened The Rainbow Stage at American Express presents BST Hyde Park. She told the early-bird audience: “Hello Hyde Park, I’m so excited to be here… Thank you for coming and watching my set!”
Belfast rock band Dea Matrona, Welsh rocker Hannah Grae, South Australian sisters Germein and 27-year-old former “X Factor” runner-up Grace Davies, completed the fantastic line up on the Birdcage Stage. Global pop star, Anne-Marie, made a surprise appearance to introduce Davies, the winner of emerging artist public vote competition, presented by Volvic. This year, Anne-Marie and Volvic teamed up to encourage UK emerging artists to compete for a chance of performing at BST Hyde Park.