Nearly three decades after Garth Brooks last performed in the UK, Hyde Park welcomes him back in spectacular fashion. Demand is so overwhelming that BST expands the event’s capacity, creating the biggest concert the park has ever hosted, with Brooks becoming the first artist to perform to almost 70,000 fans at the festival. It is a fitting stage for one of country music’s biggest stars, whose long-awaited return has been building for years and whose audience is more than ready to welcome him back.
Garth Brooks @ BST Hyde Park 2026
The day begins on The Great Oak Stage with UK country favourites The Shires, who show remarkable professionalism after battling a string of technical issues, including microphone failures that threaten to derail their set. Rather than letting the problems define the performance, Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes lean into the emotion of the afternoon. Introducing the set, Ben proudly declares, “We’re so proud to be from the UK making country music and to see how far country music has come here.”
A heartfelt song dedicated to Crissie’s late father leaves tears streaming down her face, with Ben visibly emotional alongside her. It is one of the day’s most genuine moments, reminding everyone why The Shires remain such beloved figures in British country music. Fan favourites soon have the crowd singing every word, proving no amount of technical hiccups can overshadow their connection with the audience.
Over on The Rainbow Stage, Crowe Boys provide one of the day’s earliest feel-good moments. The sibling duo quickly win over the London audience with warm harmonies and infectious energy before encouraging an enormous singalong during a heartfelt cover of Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars. Thousands of voices join in, creating an unexpectedly emotional festival moment that sets the tone for the rest of the afternoon.
Back on The Great Oak Stage, Alexandra Kay delivers one of the day’s biggest surprises. While many first discover her through her hugely popular Coffee Covers series online, the American singer showcases a rockier edge that translates brilliantly to the festival stage.
“How are you doing Hyde Park? I can’t believe I’m up here on this stage right now,” she tells the crowd, who immediately take her to heart. Her soaring vocals shine throughout originals including Everleave and Straight For The Heart, while a crowd-pleasing rendition of Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club has Hyde Park singing along. Her guitarist also steals several moments with some blistering solos, giving the performance even more bite.
Across the park, Mae Estes makes her BST Hyde Park debut on The Rainbow Stage and instantly charms the audience with her down-to-earth personality. “What’s up Hyde Park. My name is Mae Estes, and it is an absolute dream come true to get to play some country music for y’all today,” she beams before asking, “We heard a rumour about y’all. Out here in London, we heard, you like your guitar with a twang?”
The huge cheer that follows provides the perfect cue for Guitar With A Twang, with Estes proving why she is rapidly becoming one of Nashville’s brightest emerging voices. Her traditional country sound offers a perfect contrast to the bigger arena performances taking place on the neighbouring stage.
Ashley McBryde continues the afternoon’s momentum over on the main stage with a gritty, swagger-filled performance that highlights why she has become one of country music’s most respected live performers. Opening with roaring guitars, she proudly puts the rock into country rock. “I’m Ashley McBryde. These are the people I make music with… My goodness, look at you. I’m looking at more people than the populations of everybody in this band’s hometowns combined. This is the most people these Arkansans have ever seen in their life.”
The crowd responds with deafening applause before One Night Standards and Rattlesnake Preacher hit especially hard. Earlier in the day I meet a group of dedicated Ashley fans wearing matching shirts, having travelled together specifically to see her. Watching them scream every lyric back only reinforces the loyal community she has built around her music.
Meanwhile, Jackson Dean brings smoky vocals and southern grit to the Rainbow Stage, with the smell of barbecue drifting across Hyde Park in the summer heat making it somehow feel like a little piece of Tennessee has arrived in central London. “Man there’s a lot of you out there… I love you. Me and the boys are so happy to be back this side of the sea. This is an awesome day to be part of.” Songs from his recent album Magnolia Sage are met with a rapturous reception, his booming voice perfectly suited to the festival setting.
As evening approaches, Zac Brown Band deliver one of the day’s slickest performances, effortlessly blending heartfelt ballads with feel-good summertime anthems. They waste little time before launching into Toes, prompting thousands to sing “Life is good today” across Hyde Park. “We couldn’t be more happy than being out with you today,” Zac Brown smiles. “Thanks so much. Thank you to the big man, to Garth, for having us here.”
The band then tears into a riotous version of The Devil Went Down To Georgia, complete with dazzling fiddle work, before introducing new single Hard Run from forthcoming album Love & Fear. Hits including Highway 20 Ride, Jump Right In, Knee Deep and the beautiful Colder Weather showcase the band’s effortless musicianship, while Free seamlessly melts into Van Morrison’s Into The Mystic. By the time Chicken Fried closes the set, Hyde Park has become one enormous choir.
But as the sun begins to dip behind the trees, the moment everyone has been waiting almost 30 years for finally arrives.
Before Garth Brooks takes to the stage, I spend time chatting with fans throughout Hyde Park, and one thing quickly becomes clear: this is far more than just another concert. I meet people who have travelled from Ireland, Australia and Austria simply to be here. One farmer from Hungary has flown in that very morning before heading straight home after the show to continue harvesting the next day. I even meet a group of Austrian country musicians who have made the pilgrimage to witness one of their lifelong heroes. It perfectly illustrates just how much this night means to so many.
Launching straight into Rodeo, Brooks wastes no time turning Hyde Park into one enormous party. Two Of A Kind, Workin’ On A Full House follows before he grins at the audience. “We’re gonna play a lot of cowboy songs tonight. That’s just what we do when we roll in. Here’s one I hope you remember. I really hope you like it. It’s called The Beaches Of Cheyenne.” His trademark warmth, humour and effortless storytelling make a crowd approaching 70,000 feel surprisingly intimate. Between songs he chats as though he is performing in a local theatre rather than the largest concert Hyde Park has ever hosted.
An impromptu version of Bob Seger’s Night Moves arrives after Brooks spots a fan’s sign in the audience. “It’s nice to meet you. Kelly, do you understand that this is a show that cannot be changed on a dime? We got dance moves, we got it all going on right here, right?” Seconds later, the band effortlessly launches into the classic.
BST Hyde Park 2026
Every song becomes a celebration. Two Piña Coladas transforms Hyde Park into one giant beach party, while The River prompts Brooks to stop mid-song simply to marvel at the audience. “Woah… listen to you.” The emotional centrepiece arrives with The Dance, during which time appears to stand still. Tens of thousands of voices rise together in one of those spine-tingling festival moments that simply cannot be manufactured.
The encore only raises the temperature further. Brooks pays tribute to former BST Hyde Park headliner Billy Joel with Piano Man before preparing for the inevitable finale. Looking visibly emotional, he pauses to absorb the scene. “Normally the magic comes from the stage but today it came from the audience.”
Moments later, before Friends In Low Places, he adds: “I am shocked at the love that was sent this way tonight… I’m not sure what the future is, but you can bet your ass. I’m coming back here.” Judging by the deafening roar that follows, Hyde Park fully intends to hold him to that promise.
As Friends In Low Places rings out beneath the London night sky, almost 70,000 voices unite for one final chorus. It is the perfect ending to a historic evening — not simply because it breaks attendance records, but because it reminds everyone why Garth Brooks remains one of country music’s greatest live performers. After thirty years away, he returns not as a nostalgia act, but as an artist still capable of creating unforgettable moments on the biggest stage imaginable.
BST Hyde Park once again proves why it remains one of London’s premier summer festivals. From emotional performances and breakthrough artists to country legends reminding everyone exactly why they’ve earned that status, it is a day that celebrates everything great about the genre: the songs, the stories and, above all, the people.
Live review of BST Hyde Park including The Shires, Ashley McBryde, Zac Brown Band and headliner Garth Brooks @ Hyde Park, London, by Henry Finnegan on 27th June. Instagram: @finneganfoto | Facebook: @finneganfoto. Photography by Kalpesh Patel. Photos of Garth Brooks by Trevor George.
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