Photography: BST Hyde Park, Kings Of Leon Day

RockShot are attending a few of the dates at this years’ musical celebration within the confines of Hyde Park, the Barclaycard sponsored BST (British Summer Time). There are five stages on site, with a total of six afternoon/nights of live music – and a lineup that accommodates a wide variety of tastes. I attended the middle of our three outings; where the accent was firmly on alt-rock, with artists such as Deaf Havana, Pixies and headliners on the impressive Great Oak Stage, Kings Of Leon. You can read my full review of Kings Of Leon here. In summary: great band, great music, please smile a bit.

Kings Of Leon (Simon Reed)

A previous work commitment plus a series of horrific train connections conspired against me and resulted in a late arrival on site. There wasn’t a great deal of time to find my bearings or indeed to discover much of the site at all. My exploration didn’t extend beyond an area in the south east corner of the park, nestled by the Great Oak Stage; the Leafy Grove. This was an area aptly named – majestic trees towering up above, that provided much needed respite from temperatures in the thirties and a scorching sun. There was a sweet little performance space down there too; the Summer Stage, where I caught some of crowd enjoying London-based singer/songwriter Tom Grennan.

Tom Grennan performing on the Summer Stage, BST Hyde Park, 6th July 2017 (Simon Reed)

Tom Grennan (Simon Reed)

The Leafy Grove had a nice relaxed vibe to it and there’s no reason to think this wasn’t replicated about the whole site. I look forward to returning in 2018 to do BST properly and to check out some of the other performance spaces. For now, the best views were to be had from atop the highest rung of the festival photographers’ friend; the trusty step ladder.

There was simply no option to view any more of the site, for to do so would have meant missing the primary support set on the Great Oak stage delivered by veteran rockers Pixies.

Pixies performing on the Great Oak Stage, BST Hyde Park, 6th July 2017 (Simon Reed)

Pixies (Simon Reed)

Pixies delivered a set that was everything one could have hoped for and more. Given their pedigree, there was a strong argument to be made for making them the primary artist of the night. Roll on 2018. I could get used to more evenings in the park like this. For 2017, there is one day left of BST and it promises to be a hell of a good one. The very finest of Americana served up by the likes of Tyler Bryant And The Shakedown, Ward Thomas, Stevie Nicks and the incomparable Tom Petty. RockShot will be there and you can look forward to seeing and reading about it here soon.

Gracie Abrams Announces Third Album ‘Daughter From Hell’ And Unveils Lead Single ‘Hit The Wall’

Gracie Abrams is entering a bold new era with the announcement of her third studio album Daughter From Hell, set for release on 17th July. Alongside the announcement, the GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter has also shared the album’s lead single, Hit The Wall, offering fans a first glimpse into what promises to be another emotionally charged and deeply personal collection.

Dan + Shay Announce Deeply Personal New Album ‘Young’ And Share Inspiring Title Track

Country-pop superstars Dan + Shay have unveiled details of their highly anticipated sixth studio album Young, set for release on 21st August. Alongside the announcement, the GRAMMY®-winning duo have shared the album’s heartfelt title track, offering fans an emotional first glimpse into what promises to be their most intimate record to date.

Issac Ryan Brown Keeps Momentum Surging With Infectious New Single ‘Life Of The Party’

Issac Ryan Brown’s rapid ascent continues with the release of his vibrant new single Life Of The Party, a glossy pop-R&B anthem that further establishes the 20-year-old as one of the genre’s most exciting breakout stars.

Jamie Grey Channels Heartfelt Honesty On New Single ‘Unequivocal’

Rising UK singer-songwriter Jamie Grey continues to cement his reputation as one of Britain’s most emotionally authentic new voices with the release of his powerful new single, Unequivocal.

Jesse Roper (Danielle Lindenlaub & Kim Jay of Ethos Imagery)

Jesse Roper Turns Up The Heat With Fiery New EP ‘Daisy Wake Up’

Canadian singer-songwriter Jesse Roper is continuing his steady rise on both sides of the Atlantic with the release of his brand-new EP Daisy Wake Up, a six-track collection that finds the acclaimed guitarist and storyteller leaning fully into his love of gritty blues-rock and high-energy Americana.

Headwreck Join EMPIRE And Unleash Explosive New Single ‘Raindrops’

Australian nu-metal rising stars Headwreck have taken another major step towards international breakout success, announcing a new partnership with independent powerhouse EMPIRE alongside the release of their ferocious new single, Raindrops.

Bruce Foxton @ Cadogan Hall (Louise Phillips)

Bruce Foxton & Chris Difford Bring Nostalgia And Charm To London’s Cadogan Hall

There are few venues in London better suited to an evening of sharp songwriting and classic British wit than the wonderfully elegant Cadogan Hall. For the first of two nights at the venue, Bruce Foxton and special guest Chris Difford delivered a show steeped in nostalgia, humour and timeless songs that have long since become woven into the fabric of British music culture. While Difford provided warmth and charm through a career-spanning opening set, Foxton and his band revisited the enduring catalogue of The Jam with the confidence and polish of musicians who know exactly what their audience wants.

Brian Fallon Returns With First Solo Music In Over Five Years On ‘Not Bad For New Jersey’ And ‘Better Before’

Brian Fallon has returned with his first original solo material in more than five years, unveiling two brand-new tracks: Not Bad For New Jersey and Better Before. Released via Fallon’s own Lesser Known Records, the songs mark a fresh chapter for the New Jersey songwriter while reconnecting with the heartland rock and power-pop sensibilities that have defined his career both as a solo artist and as frontman of The Gaslight Anthem.