The Rolling Stones at BST Hyde Park 2022: All About Charisma

by | Jul 6, 2022

It’s hard to remember a time when London was so busy. In just one short weekend one was completely spoiled for choice – from Guns N’ Roses at the Spurs stadium to Adele at Hyde Park, Ed Sheeran at Wembley and Kings of Leon at The O2. And given the sheer volume of musical entertainment, it felt particularly special to witness the completely sold-out performance by none other than The Rolling Stones at British Summer Time (BST).

BST Hyde Park 2022

Compared to other festivals, BST is a bit of a catch-all when it comes to atmosphere. It provides contemporary spaces to sit and passively enjoy what’s on, right through to exclusive members-only areas where the flash of a blue and white card might just get you onto a viewing platform (or slightly closer to the stage). But while this festival feels a little more… erm… “distinguished” compared to others, it still brings to life that once-familiar feeling of summer we all desperately missed.

BST Hyde Park 2022

BST Hyde Park 2022

To the surprise of many, there are actually four stages at BST Hyde Park, including the newly re-named Hard Rock Rising Rainbow Stage, where 23-year-old Christone “Kingfish” Ingram played not one but two sets, displaying his blues guitar wizardry to an unassuming London crowd.

BST Hyde Park 2022

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Preceding The Rolling Stones were two well-established acts in their own right – Courtney Barnett and Sam Fender. Both have included BST as part of their exhaustive festival circuit which included career-defining spots at Glastonbury Festival and beyond.

Courtney Barnett @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Courtney Barnett presents a lovely fusion of country, rock and even hints of punk. She appeared early on the main ‘Great Oak’ stage – a setting that is beautifully adorned by feux foliage, mesmerising visuals of Hyde Park and a large replica oak tree. The Australian singer, best known for her so-called ‘deadpan singing style’ and witty, rambling lyrics, humbly addresses the crowd and introduces her three band mates.The multi award-winning artist seriously rocked the stage, cruising through better known songs like Avant Gardener and Pedestrian at Best, and later headbanging and screaming through Need a Little Time. With only short interludes for polite banter, she breezed through her set without much interaction, except on the odd occasion where she’d be spotted having a little laugh at her own song lyrics. 

Courtney Barnett @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Courtney Barnett @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Courtney Barnett @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Sam Fender kicks off his set with Will We Talk?, the Geordie singer adorning a beautiful white Gretsch guitar, the Newcastle United flag purposefully positioned behind him. His band mates, or as he calls them “a few of my best mates”, contribute beautifully to his set, not least through the use of brass instruments to give depth and melody to Sam’s unique and mesmerising vocals.

Sam Fender @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Sam Fender @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Sam Fender @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Moving through songs Getting Started and Mantra, they take a short moment to pause and pay tribute to the Stones themselves before jumping into hit songs Spit of You, Saturday and “the song that got us into this mess”; Seventeen Going Under. Soaking in yet another heartfelt applause, they take a moment to thank the audience “for being part of another dream bucket list experience”, as Sam humbly proclaimed.

Sam Fender @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Sam Fender @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Sam Fender @ BST Hyde Park 2022

With the sun still beaming down upon the Great Oak stage, there’s a quick transition on the screens away from the calming images of Hyde Park to an intense red, yellow and black pattern – the electricity at Hyde Park is about to be turned up. The excitement for the multi-award winning, hall of fame inducted, 66 million album-selling British rock legends is not only felt, it is seen. There are thousands of fans adorning the classic Stones ‘hot lips’ logo, many recounting the times they saw the Stones in the 1970s, 80s, 90s or boasting about when they’ll be seeing them again on their European leg. 

BST Hyde Park 2022

BST Hyde Park 2022

The show opens with a moving tribute to former Stones drummer Charlie Watts who played in the band from 1963 until his death in 2021. As images of Charlie’s impressive five decade career move across the screen, frontman Mick Jagger appears on stage wearing a stunning rhinestone encrusted jacket, waving emphatically at the crowd before belting into Get Off of My Cloud. As fellow bandmates Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards appear behind him, it’s impossible not to be drawn to their eclectic attire. Looking somewhat like their grandkids had dressed them (Wood has two bright green plastic chameleons and Richards’ T-shirt features the slogan ‘Do not X-ray’), the vibrancy of their clothing feels deliberately chosen. At 79, 78 and 75 years respectively, Jagger, Richards, and Wood have certainly aged on the surface, but not in energy or pace.

The Rolling Stones @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Jagger’s moves are unchanged since the ‘60s, his physical body swings and skips down the runway, his vocal capacity on point. And as he swaps his sequins for a satin purple jacket, he wastes no time in bringing out the crowd-pleasing Angie, You Can’t Always Get What You Want and an esteemed cover of Bob Dylan’s Like a Rolling Stone – a debut on their Sixty tour made complete by Jagger on the harmonica.

The Rolling Stones @ BST Hyde Park 2022

 

Taking a moment to pause (and enjoy a much-needed breather) Jagger introduces his esteemed touring band, which includes Steve Jordan on drums, Chuck Leavell on keys, and Sasha Allen on backing vocals. Naturally the largest roar from the crowd goes to Wood and Richards  “we’re doing this because of the huge families they have to support”, Jagger jokingly states. It’s at this point where we get to watch another age-defying performance by Richards during the acoustically-led version of You Got the Silver and Happy alongside Wood

The Rolling Stones @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Adding to the countless costume changes – which are undoubtedly joyous and fittingly suited to his charismatic personality – Jagger returns in a yellow and black sparkly number, guitar in hand for Miss You. At its conclusion the three original Stones lock arms, smile and thank their emphatic fans for being part of their “203rd show in London”.

The Rolling Stones @ BST Hyde Park 2022

After a few minutes of darkness, the band makes a predictable return for their encore with no greater a hit than Sympathy for the Devil – featuring a duet with backing vocalist Sasha Allen. Immensely let down by the sound, Allen is barely heard but her presence cannot be more vibrant. Her fabulous blue fringe dress glistening under the lights, it is lovely to watch the unmistakable chemistry between her and Jagger.

The Rolling Stones @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Closing on the unmissable Satisfaction, which includes a deafening choral accompaniment from the crowd, it is the kind of bombastic and energy-toppling conclusion that would suit only The Rolling Stones.

The Rolling Stones @ BST Hyde Park 2022

Live review of The Rolling Stones at BST Hyde Park by Lilen Pautasso on 3rd July 2022. Photography by Kalpesh Patel. Photos of The Rolling Stones by Naomi Dryden-Smith.

 

Glastonbury 2022: A Festival Defined By Talent, Euphoria and Protest

Amy Macdonald (Olivia Rose)

Amy Macdonald Announces New LP ‘Is This What You’ve Been Waiting For?’ + Tour Dates

Amy Macdonald’s gift for crafting positive, uplifting songs from relatable stories of triumphs, struggles and hope...
Andrew Cushin (Press)

Andrew Cushin Shares ‘New World Blazing’ Alongside Tour News

Firmly established as an artist’s artist with the likes of Noel Gallagher, Sam Fender, Louis Tomlinson and Pete Doherty all in his corner, Andrew Cushin is primed to rise to the next level with the 2nd May release of his second album Love Is For Everyone. Building upon his acclaimed debut Waiting For The Rain, he now takes the next step towards the new record by sharing the single New World Blazing.

Hurts (Press)

Hurts Celebrate 15 Years Of ‘Happiness’ With Vinyl Release And Tour

It’s been 15 years since Hurts released their debut album Happiness, a record which has since cast a towering...
Scouting For Girls (Press)

Scouting For Girls Announce 15th Anniversary Edition Of ‘Everybody Wants To Be On TV’ And Tour Dates

In 2010, Scouting For Girls amplified the success of their self-titled debut album with their follow-up Everybody...

Ghost Prove They Have The Power On Skeletour Date At The O2 Arena

Members of the Clergy gathered this Easter Saturday at London’s O2 Arena to see the latest incarnation of melodic metal band Ghost. Expectations were high as this was to be just the third show of the Skeletour with ‘new’ singer Papa V Perpetua – Tobias Forge takes on a new persona for each album cycle of Ghost’s career to date, almost like having a new Pope, extremely topical this particular weekend.

Beck with The BBC Concert Orchestra @ The Royal Albert Hall (Kalpesh Patel)

Beck Is Transcendent With The BBC Concert Orchestra At The Royal Albert Hall

“I sorta dug through all my songs that had strings on them. Usually how it goes is they kinda just do strings on top of the hits, but these were actually strings on all the records” Beck David Hansen states part way through what is, a truly magical evening of music, departing from the norm and going with his gut, in true Beck style.

Leonie Jakobi (Anchor and Pine Collective)

Leonie Jakobi Shares New Single ‘So Much Love To Give’

Leonie Jakobi’s recent single I Deserve To Shine earned her biggest spread of UK coverage to date, building on previous airplay support from 6 Music, BBC Introducing. Her contagious positivity and new generation take on classic rock sounds inspired that new wave of discovery, and those traits again stand proud as she shares her new single So Much Love To Give and announces that she will release her debut album What Are The People Gonna Say? on the 5th September 2025. 

The Jacques (Nick Sayers)

The Jacques Share New Single ‘Dead Man’s Garden’

The Jacques have make a compelling start as they power towards the11th July release of their second album Make Repetition!. Its first single, Via Dolorosa, had a spotlight moment with a 6 Music play from Chris Hawkins at 6 Music. The single was soon followed by the news that The Jacques will tour Europe as special guests to post-punk legends Public Image Ltd.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing