K-Pop sensation, Stray Kids, was the final headliner to hit the Great Oak Stage at American Express presents BST Hyde Park 2024. The eight-strong band – made up of Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N – shot to fame in 2017 after appearing on the South Korean reality TV show “Stray Kids”. Today, they became the first all-male K-Pop act to headline a major UK festival, at BST Hyde Park.

[스키지기]
Stray Kids “ATE” BST Hyde Park 🇬🇧
Thank You STAY

🥠PRE-SAVE & PRE-ORDER “ATE” NOW!https://t.co/OGIBDtigG0#StrayKids #스트레이키즈#BSTHydePark @BSTHydePark@LiveNationKpop#ATE#ChkChkBoom#StrayKidsComeback#YouMakeStrayKidsStay pic.twitter.com/NAbmCSTTJe

— Stray Kids (@Stray_Kids) July 14, 2024

“Hello London, we are so excited to be here”, Bang Chan greeted the audience, before introducing each member of the band to the screaming crowd. “It’s great to be back here,” he added, referring to the five years since the group’s last performance in the UK.

The eight-piece, who are on the brink of releasing their ninth mini album, “ATE”, beamed at the thunderous applause – launching seamlessly into their much-loved songs, “S-Class”, “Freeze” and “Super Bowl”, before moving onto “Topline, “Thunderous” and “Item”. As the drumbeat intro to “Domino” began, Stray Kids took to the runway, zipping and jumping their way back and forth, before returning to the main stage to display their signature dance moves. Naturally, cheers erupted from the 50,000-strong crowd.

Following a brief interlude, filled with Led Zeppelin riffs by the Stray Kids Band, the second half of the show presented the likes of “Lonely Street”, “Social Path”, “Charmer”, “My Pace”, “Back Door”, “Maniac” and “God’s Menu”- the latter lighting up the stage against a backdrop of flames.

The band returned to the stage for an epic encore consisting of “Lalalala”, “Victory Song” and “Miroh”. “Does anyone know the results for the finals?” Bang Chan asked, in reference to England’s Euro 2024 Final clash tonight. The show ended with the original version of “Topline”, followed by their penultimate track, “Megaverse”, before the band’s huge fan-favourite 2020 hit, “Haven” brought the show to a close.

_____

British singer-songwriter, Maisie Peters, couldn’t contain her excitement at being a support act for Stray Kids’ this evening. Much to the glee of the equally vibrant audience, the 24-year-old performed a string of her favourite songs, including her viral hit “History Of A Man”, plus “Love Him I Don’t” and “Not Another Rockstar. Wearing a strappy black top and mini flare skirt, the Sussex-based singer impressed with a Killers’ cover of “Mr Brightside”, before closing with “Lost The Break Up”.

The crowd absolutely loved Maisie Peters at @BSTHydePark pic.twitter.com/letSshBTlL

— Pop Scoop! (@Pop_Scoop) July 15, 2024

“This is one of my dreams come true,” announced Phoenix-born artist Alec Benjamin, as he took to the Great Oak Stage. “Thank you guys for making this happen.” The 30-year-old musician was an instant hit, of course, wowing audiences with performances of “I Sent My Therapist To Therapy” from his 2023 album “12 Notes”, “If We Have Each Other” from 2018’s “Narrated For You”, plus “The Way You Felt” and “Devil Doesn’t Bargain” from 2021’s “(Un)Commentary”. He added: “[London] might be my favourite city on Earth and thank you Stray Kids for having me!”

Six-strong girl band, NMIXX, wasted no time in getting the audience in the mood for a real British Summer Time party earlier in the afternoon, unleashing their upbeat tunes such as “Dice”, Run For Roses” and “Young, Dumb and Stupid”. “We are so excited to perform our songs in front of you guys,” beamed lead singer, Lily. “Let’s relax and have a lot of fun together.” The group then cranked things up a notch by covering two huge British artists, Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” and Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back In Anger”. They ended with two of their most loved numbers, “Moving On” and “Love Me Like This”.

A moment for @NMIXX_official on the main stage 🤍

Photos by Isha Shah#BSTHydePark #NMIXX pic.twitter.com/TM45101zuL

— BST Hyde Park (@BSTHydePark) July 14, 2024

Since making his debut in 2020, Taiwanese artist, KIRE, has been impressing audiences all over the world. Today, he took on London – opening the Great Oak Stage to tens of thousands of waiting fans. “Let me hear you make some noise,” he announced to the screaming audience. “I brought some songs, I hope you guys have fun!” Packing in a lot during his set, Kire brought a fan on stage to be serenaded to his slow-paced track, “Beautiful”, and handed out posters to the crowd, while also performing ”Dream Of You” and “Don’t Stop”. Recently, Kire took to Instagram to express his gratitude to fans. “I love how everyone can be themselves at my show,” he said.

.@kireyung opening The Great Oak Stage 🤍

Photos by Isha Shah#BSTHydePark #KIRE pic.twitter.com/CWmN6L8gQt

— BST Hyde Park (@BSTHydePark) July 14, 2024

Singer-songwriter, Dhruv, hit fame when his 2019 release “Double Take” went viral on TikTok nearly two years after release. “London, thank you so much for having me,” he said, almost bursting with joy. “This feels like a dream.” The British-Indian singer, who has lived in Singapore and America, showcased his 2024 singles “Speed of Light”, “How?” and “Tragedy”. “I came here [to BST] to see Adele a few years ago, so playing for you now is unbelievable. Thank you Stray Kids for letting us open.”

With nearly 35 million followers on TikTok, it’s no wonder Elijah Woods could be found on the line up for BST Hyde Park 2024. The multi-platinum selling artist performed his top tracks including “24/7, 365”, “Everything, Everywhere, Always” and “Fingers Crossed” during his Rainbow Stage set. He said: My Name Is Elijah Woods and this is my first show in London ever… [it’s] my first show in Europe ever. I’m so happy I get to travel the world and do what I love.”

Scotland-based Bellah Mae opened The Rainbow Stage at American Express presents BST Hyde Park today. “I’m so happy to be here with you!” she told the audience, before teasing them with tracks such as “Hell and Never Back” and “2053”.

West London’s rising star Tyler Lewis, Welsh A-lister Ben Lewis and genreless AlienBlaze completed the final day of music at American Express presents BST Hyde Park 2024.

As American Express presents BST Hyde Park draws to a close for another year, with over 500,000 fans in attendance, we celebrate the nine iconic artists who have taken to the famous Great Oak Stage over the last three weeks. From SZA, Kings of Leon and Morgan Wallen to Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams and Shania Twain, from Stevie Nicks – with special guest Harry Styles – to Kylie and Stray Kids, this has been the brilliant soundtrack to summer 2024 in London.

Let’s go girls! Sunday night, the legend that is Shania Twain headlined the mighty Great Oak Stage at American Express presents BST Hyde Park. Stepping up into the limelight just as the sun was setting, the country-pop star wore a Viviene Westwood matching red mini skirt and jacket with a white top and a pair of silver lace-up boots. And it was clear she was ready to party.

The set kicked off with the brilliant “Don’t Be Stupid”, and tens of thousands of cowboys began clip-clopping across the park. “All the legends play this stage,” Twain announced. “And I have played this stage before… 2003! I can’t thank you guys enough.”

Non-stop fabulous songs followed – “You Win My Love”, “Wake Up Dreaming”, “Getcha Good” and “Forever and Always”, with Twain picking up her guitar and taking to a stool to treat the audience to an acoustic sing-along of her biggest hit, “Still The One”.

“There have been a lot of people who have been with me since the release of this song,” she continued to a packed Hyde Park, as “Come On Over” began, marking Twain’s 27 years of success since her third studio album of the same name. “Come on, Harry Styles listened to it, and his mum listened to it… It’s a compliment that the music spans generations.”

Getting even further into the country swing of things, “Any Man Of Mine”, “Giddy Up” and “Boots” lit up the stage. “The country vibe is so much a part of how folk music has developed around the world… Country music has kinda come back around in fashion, right?… I don’t care if they’re cowboy boots, wellington boots… we’re going to do some s***-kicking right now!”

After a moment hugging the Great Oak that decorates the stage (“It’s thick!”), Twain dazzled the crowd with “From This Moment”, her immense vocals bringing a tear to a fair few eyes. Then came a thunderous finale, consisting of “That Don’t Impress Me Much”, “Party For Two”, “Rock This Country”, Outta Here” – and, of course, a mammoth ending with “Man, I Feel Like A Woman”.

“I will remember this forever, I promise you,” Twain declared, her eyes gleaming.

It was as if BST Hyde Park stepped back into the glorious nineties earlier this evening, as Irish pop-rockers, The Corrs, took to the stage. “Good day, London in the sun. It is good to be back here in Hyde Park,” said a smiling Andrea Corr. Playing “Summer Sunshine”, she pointed out, “This song is appropriate [right now], let’s play it quick before it’s not…” Even the Tin Whistle made an appearance for a special performance of “Only When I Sleep”.

“The last time we were here was in 2016 and you guys have given us an incredible welcome back after [nearly] ten years,” Corr continued. As the audience whooped, the hits came out – including, “Give Me A Reason”, “What Can I Do?”, “Listen To The Radio”, “Forgiven, Not Forgotten”, “Dreams” (a Fleetwood Mac cover, and the band’s biggest UK hit), “So Young”, “Runaway” and “Breathless”.

A leopard print clad Anne-Marie took the crowd by storm, making a grand tribute to her hero and tonight’s headliner, Shania Twain. “Hello BST Hyde Park! How are you feeling? I’m going to cram as many songs in as I possibly can… How could I not wear this outfit?” The 33-year-old dished out a string of great songs, from “Birthday” and “2002” to “Unhealthy” – which had everyone singing along, and a sea of people swinging their stetsons – much to Anne-Marie’s delight. A cover of Haddaway’s “What Is Love?”, naturally, had the audience dancing their hearts out, ready and prepared for an epic night of music ahead.

Elle King from Los Angeles has previously discussed how her music is “rooted in every genre of vintage Americana” – and this was clear from her sassy, bluesy setlist. Launching with “Ain’t Country By Choice” and dropping “Little Bit Of Lovin’” – both fan favourites – the 35-year-old and her band were thrilled to be playing the UK capital. “We love London so much!” she exclaimed. “Are you guys having a good time or what? And the rain has stopped!”

Indeed, the sunshine broke through the clouds as Australian songstress, Natalie Imbruglia, started off proceedings on The Great Oak Stage. “Hello BST, thank you for being here,” she beamed to the large crowd. “We are going to get you warmed up… And thank you sunshine!” Those who were grabbing food and drinks dashed to the stage when they heard Imbruglia’s top tracks, “Wishing I Was There” and “Wrong Impression”, leading the set. “I haven’t played this park since 1998,” she said. “I’m thrilled to still be singing to audiences.” Wearing a burgundy puff-sleeve mini dress and black cowboy boots, Imbruglia teased a new track, “Have It” – a hint at the feel of her new album due out next year. “I’m going to come out and join you after this…” she declared to whooping fans, before ending with her ultimate hits, “Torn” and “Big Mistake”.

Canada-born Cate led the all-female line-up on the The Rainbow Stage today, readying the crowd with the catchy chorus from her track, “One Hit Wonder”. Influenced by noughties country-pop, the now London-based artist was thrilled to be showcasing her talents to a country music and Twain-adoring crowd. She said: “This is such a dream for me, I’m the biggest Shania Twain fan… I’m Canadian, same as our queen, Shania Twain!”

British festival favourite, Nell Mescal, was on duty to welcome the incoming Stetson-clad audience early in the afternoon. The 21-year-old Irish singer-songwriter wore a t-shirt emblazoned with ‘Let’s Go Girls’ as she played her 2023 releases “Punchline” and “Homesick”, plus “Killing Time” from her 2024 EP, “Can I Miss It For A Minute?” Her excitement to be supporting Twain was equally palpable. She said: “This is so fun. Give it up for Shania Twain – I can’t wait!”

From SXSW to the Great Escape, north London’s up-and-coming singer-songwriter Natalie Shay has been sampling her sound to music lovers all over the globe. Today, she opened The Rainbow Stage at American Express presents BST Hyde Park. She told the early-bird audience: “Hello Hyde Park, I’m so excited to be here… Thank you for coming and watching my set!”

Belfast rock band Dea Matrona, Welsh rocker Hannah Grae, South Australian sisters Germein and 27-year-old former “X Factor” runner-up Grace Davies, completed the fantastic line up on the Birdcage Stage. Global pop star, Anne-Marie, made a surprise appearance to introduce Davies, the winner of emerging artist public vote competition, presented by Volvic. This year, Anne-Marie and Volvic teamed up to encourage UK emerging artists to compete for a chance of performing at BST Hyde Park.

American Express presents BST Hyde Park continues next week, on Friday 12 July, with headliner Stevie Nicks, plus Brandi Carlisle, Anna Calvi, Paris Paloma, Baby Queen, Nina Nesbitt, Siobhan Winifred, Catty, Talia Rae, Stevie Bill and Nina Versyp.