The ninth annual British Summer Time Festival, held at Hyde Park, concluded recently. Since its inception in 2013, it has always taken place in June and July. It spans three weekends and provides a festival experience unlike any other, bringing music fans together for nine days of live music with support from today's up-and-coming acts and renowned headliners. Excellent hospitality, food, and beverages are also available.
There is also a free midweek event called Open House that takes place in between each of the three weekends and provides participants with free activities and entertainment. The main goal was to create a memorable 9-day event. The festival ran from Friday, June 24, to Sunday, July 10, and was divided into three major weekends.
The first concert at BST Hyde Park was a glitzy, star-studded affair, with concertgoers swarming the central London park dressed up and ready for an unforgettable evening of music from superstar Elton John. The concert, which was a part of his farewell tour, had classics from throughout his career, moving between the albums from the 1970s (particularly Goodbye Yellow Brick Road), the 80s, and a tribute to his most recent album, Cold Heart, with Dua Lipa.
The evening began with piano accents of Bennie and the Jets, and it didn't take long for the audience to become excited. The artist's animated expression nicely captured the excitement of the audience. From the very beginning, John's repertoire's range of styles was on display, dipping in and out of subtle and quiet tracks to resurface with upbeat songs.
Elton John’s performance was a stunning emotional trip down memory lane that evoked palpable nostalgia. The iconic performer was supported by his devoted band, who performed alongside him. His was an epic farewell tour after 50 years in an illustrious career.
Next on stage at Hyde Park was the sparkling. Along with her classics "Hello," "Rumor Has It," and "Rolling In the Deep," Adele debuted the song "Oh My God" off her 30th album live during her two-hour performance.
The multi-Grammy Award winner performed in front of a live audience for the first time in five years, since a pair of shows at London's Wembley Stadium in 2017. The songstress was clearly overcome with emotion in front of a 65,000-person crowd before she finished her first song. Furthermore, Adele paused her entire London performance on Friday to assist audience members in need. The singer took four breaks to assist concertgoers in need of medical attention.
More confetti rained down as a final, string-drenched rendition of "Love Is a Game" erupted over the fields, illuminating the audience with real pyrotechnics. She performed as she always does, mesmerizing the fans with her enviably powerful vocals.
At the conclusion of Adele's electrifying performance, it was clear the festival continues to be a hit with fans and musicians alike and I can only hope that it returns in a more powerful way next year.
