Morgan Wallen + Special guests: Riley Green, Ernest, Ella Langley, Alana Springsteen, Alexandra Kay, Zandi Holup, Abbie Mac, The Halfway Kid and Evan Bartels…
Day three of American Express presents BST Hyde Park went off in great style on Thursday – country style – with Tennessee-born singer-songwriter, Morgan Wallen headlining the Great Oak Stage.
A backstage skit played on the big screens, following Wallen as he made his way from his dressing room to the stage. Appearing in a white shirt and trousers with a blue Field and Stream cap, he beamed: “My name’s Morgan Wallen and it’s an honour and a privilege to be here with you tonight…
“I can honestly say I never thought I would be celebrating the 4th of July in London, that’s for damn sure. But…you guys have already made me feel right at home and I just want to say thank you in advance if that’s the way you’re going to treat me for the rest of the night!”
The country music star made sure to address his dedicated fan-base, some of whom had travelled all the way from the US to see their hero. “They told me before [that] there’s about 50,000 people in here tonight… I just want to say I’m humbled and honoured,” he noted. ”
“And that I’m the first country music artist to play the Hyde Park stage like this is a bad ass thing, so thank you guys so much for making this possible and thank you for loving my music from so far away.”
There, Wallen continued with “Cover Me Up”, “Lies Lies Lies” – which was recorded at Abbey Road studios earlier this year, and was released at midnight Friday – and slowed the pace right down by taking to the piano for “Sand In My Boots”. Returning to the main stage to continue his set, he unleashed “Up Down”, “Whiskey Glasses” and “Cowgirls”, a duet with Wallen’s good friend and support act, Ernest.
Headlining The Rainbow Stage, Alana Springsteen was thrilled to be leading the audience into a night of great country tunes.
“Damn, it feels good to be back, London!” the 22-year-old told the crowd as she got into the swing of things with “Twenty Something” and “If You Love Me Now”.
The Illinois-born star, who has been playing the guitar since the age of seven, has previously explained that her songs are very much rooted in life experience
“I’m so happy to be here! This is my third time performing in London. Can I get a yee-haw?” Alexandra Kay cheered, taking to the stage. Dressed in a baby pink floral dress and baby pink cowboy boots, the 32-year-old singer revealed she had enjoyed “a few too many drinks in Brixton” the night before her performance.
Even so, she bounced across the stage, entertaining the growing crowd with “Backroad Therapy”, “Painted Him Perfect” and the much-loved “Tall Boys”. She even challenged fans to a 90s country quiz to find out who knew their music – the winner being a loyal country music lover called Kayleigh.
Supporting the headliner was Alabama singer-songwriter Riley Green. The 35-year-old singer from Jacksonville performed a jam-packed hour-long set, pulling out fan favourites such as “Damn Good Day To Leave”, “Should Have Been a Cowboy” and the heartfelt, “I Wish Grandpas Never Died”.
Inviting fellow support act Ella Langley to the stage, the pair also performed their own duet, Riley’s latest single, “You Look Like You Love Me”.
Thursday afternoon, Tennessee singer-songwriter Ernest Smith took the Great Oak Stage by storm with a selection of eclectic tunes from his three studio albums, including his latest release “Big Loud”.
The singer who goes by Ernest, has previously contributed to Wallen’s much-loved track, “More Than My Hometown” and duetted with him on “Flower Shops”, and left behind his five-acre farm and throng of chickens near Nashville to join his friend for his mind-blowing Hyde Park performance.
Ernest tantalised the crowd with “Kiss of Death” and “Did It For The Story”, saying: “This is my first time ever in the UK and you guys are showing me the best time ever, Thank y’all so much.”
“Unapologetically rock and roll grit” songstress and social media star, Ella Langley, kicked off proceedings on the Great Oak Stage, and announced she would be releasing her debut album in August. The 25-year-old from Alabama, teams up with Riley Green on his latest single.
Kicking off the day was Pennsylvania artist, Zandi Holup, who credits the likes of Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez for her ability to story tell through her music. The singer was the opening act for The Rainbow Stage, warming the crowd up with her blend of folk and country tunes.
TikTok star Abbie Mac, British-Sudanese sensation The Halfway Kid, and Nashville-born up-and-coming singer Evan Bartels completed an epic day.
*Check out our recent coverage of BST Hyde Park shows with Kings Of Leon and SZA and their star guests, in our Live Zone.
Words: Steve Best
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