It was, as the name requires, the perfect summer’s day for British Summer Time Hyde Park on Friday. The sun was beaming and the cowboy-boot clad 65,000 strong crowd eager to enjoy the all-American line-up. Given the abundance of artists from across the pond at today’s show, you might have been forgiven for questioning whether you were in London at all………..that is until the very big (and very well kept) secret guest brought on by Noah Kahan to join him sing signature tune, Northern Attitude, as darkness fell on the evening.
Noah Kahan @ BST Hyde Park 2025
We, that being my 8-year old son and I, started the afternoon with a walk around the huge iconic park-come-festival venue. The site, tabled-ended by the ginormous Great Oak Main Stage (the tree isn’t real by the way!) on one end and the aptly-named for pride week, Rainbow Stage at the other, is circled by endless mock Spanish streets serving food, drinks and selling merch. Our first stop was at the Rainbow Stage, a smaller-stage shrouded by huge semi-circular rainbow. First up was Sydney Rose, a Georgia-born and Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose soulful voice needed little by way of support, although she proudly announced that her parents had made it to watch her that day. Sydney started her career utilising her powerful voice to record covers, and she did not disappoint on that front, ending her set with a rapturous cover of Coldplay’s Yellow, prompting a giant sing-along and no doubt a few more fans to support her when she comes to the UK to tour in October.
Sydney Rose @ BST Hyde Park 2025
Next up we were drawn away from the US vibe and back down to our South London home, the drum beat of the eclectic South London Samba, a collective of energetic carnival drummers who blend world rhythms with their fresh South London vibe. Food needed now, and we were delighted to find Poptata (gutted you’ve left Tooting market guys!) who sell over-priced by well-worth it fries that just taste better than any other chips, ever! They’ll keep us going for a while…..
Next up is Gigi Perez on the main stage in the mid-afternoon heat. The New-Jersey born singers debut studio album, At The Beach, In Every Life was released just a couple of months ago and is flying high as she takes time out from her US tour to support Noah Kahan in London. Swapping guitars between the seven songs from her new album, her husky low tones with indie rock edge pleased the increasingly big crowd.
Between sets we took a break and called in to chat with Doctors Without Borders, an international humanitarian organization that provides medical care in conflict zones, natural disasters, and epidemics and whom provide care regardless of race, religion, or political views. We took the interactive earthquake challenge to learn what should be prioritised in such event.
BST Hyde Park 2025
Back to the music and next up is FINNEAS, the older brother of Billie Eilish and talented singer-songwriter-producer-actor in his own right, who has wracked up no less than 10 GRAMMY® Awards) in his 27-years, for a combination of his own music and that he has worked on for his sister. He declares that it is an honour to open for Gracie, but has not met Noah yet. The LA-based alternative-pop singer began with Lotus Eater, a raspy rock opener but soon changed direction, belting out a series of power ballads including I Lost A Friend which showed off the strength of his voice and why his career started at Glee.
FINNEAS then brings out Ashe, to the delight of the crowd, and the set backdrop turns to The Favors a new band he decares has been formed between Ashe and himself, a collaboration between friends that first started in 2019 and saw new single The Little Mess You Made released last month. The partners’ previewed new song The Hudson before its official release on the 11th July and their co-written debut album, set to be breaming with ’70s pop tunes, The Dream is to be released in September.
Still on a high following her Glastonbury debut last week, singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams took to the stage as the main billed support today, but is an artist that will likely be filling Wembley before long. The California-born pop sensation clearly has the next generation of music fans sold, with screams and declarations from those around me that they may cry at every turn, the love for Gracie is clear. She is a role model, and is arguably entering icon status as she introduces legendary writer and producer, and someone she says is “like family to me” The National’s Aaron Dessner to the stage. Together they delight the crowd with a live debut of unreleased single Crazy Girl, before Aaron stays to support on I Love You I’m Sorry, and the gorgeously sparse debut LP tune Where Do We Go Now?.
Gracie then slows the pace with a stunning acoustic version of Let It Happen co-written by her, Aaron and Audrey Hobart for second studio album The Secret Of Us. Her 13-strong set included Death Wish, which she clarifies to all is about a friend, not her, who went out with a narcissist…..”but we’ve all been there, right?” she questions as many hands are raised!
As dusk draws in on Hyde Park, its time for the emotional rollercoaster ride to start, which guaranteed the audience at least a few little surprises, and it far from disappointed. As Noah Kahan arrived on stage, he told us how much this meant to him, and how it would never be taken for granted as he remembers the first time he played in London to a crowd of 77. Dressed head to toe in blue (an outfit better than the eyesore he wore for his Glastonbury appearance according to my son!) he opened his 19-song set with All My Love, which is a tapestry of genres which sits somewhere between folk, alternative and pop, creating a bright and upbeat start to the show.
The Vermont-hailing star is joined as ever, by the now-signature northern teddy bear, today dressed quite rightly as London’s favourite Paddington Bear. Paddington doesn’t quite manage to steal the show however, as Noah brings back casually-dressed Gracie Abrams for a glorious rendition of Everywhere, Everything, first recorded by the pair in 2023. Noah continues to delight with older song, False Confidence before which he jokingly promises that security are lined up to eject anyone who isn’t true fan enough to know all the words! Phew, we knew the words.
Gracie Abrams with Noah Kahan @ BST Hyde Park 2025
He then headed down to B Stage to get closer to the crowd, blasting out three favourites including fan request Strawberry Wine which he dedicated to his grandad. The real tear-jerking moment of the night came next as he introduced Gigi Perez back to stage to join him in harmony for Call Your Mom. “We both love our moms” he declares, as he tells us all with tears in his eyes that his mum used to drive him everywhere to places where no-one listened and no-one cared before stating that she’s here tonight, pointing out into the crowd. Hyde Park joined in the emotionally charged ballad that reminds you to stay connected with loved one, particularly during tough times, with equal spirit to the headliner.
The real treat and biggest surprise for the British crowd came on the encore, and that wasn’t Noah coming back on stage after a quick change into his beloved Chelsea FC shirt, which was met with mostly banterful boos. Donned in matching Chelsea shirt, on walked the one and only new-king of comebacks, Scot superstar Mr Lewis Capaldi. After his recent joyful Glastonbury return, he now shared the stage with fellow mental health battler Noah in what promised to be an encore to remember. Thanking the now wild crowd for allowing his new single Survive to top this week’s UK charts, Capaldi and Kahan sang an electrifying version of Northern Attitude as the flabbergasted audience joined them with delight. What a treat.
Kahan’s star-studded show finished with headline track Stick Season and a scattering fireworks shooting high above the Great Oak. Our only disappointment was that he doesn’t sing Paul Revere on this tour, which happens to be mine and my boy’s personal favourite. But hey, I knew it wasn’t coming and it didn’t matter. A truly brilliant show and a great day had by all at BST.
BST Hyde Park 2025
Live review of Noah Kahan @ BST Hyde Park 2025 by Lauren Patel. Photography by Lauren & Kalpesh Patel.
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