American country singer-songwriter Zach Bryan took Day Two at American Express presents BST Hyde Park 2025 by storm with a 23-track setlist, spanning his six year career. Arriving on stage with his trademark black tank top, with an Ozzy Osbourne logo emblazoned across the front, Bryan proceeded to tell the crowd that he felt like the “luckiest man in the world” to be standing on the Great Oak Stage. The 29-year-old Oklahoma Smokeshow singer also invited Dublin singer-songwriter, Dermot Kennedy, on stage to duet on the much-loved Hey Driver.
“Isn’t country music the most beautiful thing in the world?” Bryan asked, standing proudly with his Fender Telecaster hanging around his neck. Joining him on stage was his trusty band, taking on the drums, bass, a lap-steel guitar, violins and cellos and a six-strong brass band. “Cheers to you London, we fucking love you,” he said.
The string of hits kept coming: Opener Overtime set the tone for the night with 65,000 people singing along – Dawns, Motorcycle Drive By and American Nights soon followed – with absolutely no let up in the chorus of voices echoing through the night. Pink Skies featured a melodic harmonica intro, while Something in the Orange was led by the lap-steel guitar. Bryan also took a moment to invite a fan on stage. 23-year-old Ollie Hawkins earned his place next to his idol, singing Heading South, after being spotted on TikTok. Fans were even treated to a brand new track entitled Streets of London, which was recorded just four days ago in one of David Bowie’s favourite studios in the capital, he told Instagram followers.
By the time Kennedy joined Bryan for Hey Driver, the audience was well-oiled in recounting every lyric. “I know a really, really great man called Dermot Kennedy and he is going to sing a song with us. This is one of the best fucking singers in the world,” Bryan announced, as Kennedy – wearing a Nike tracksuit – entered the stage. The two-hour set came to an end with the powerful Burn, Burn, Burn, party-hit Quittin’ Time and a big-band extravaganza on Revival – and a flurry of fireworks.
The incredible Dermot Kennedy led the supporting line-up this evening, with a set-list so impressive that there was, at moments, complete in-awe silence in the crowd. At other times, the swelling audience was singing every word of Kennedy’s beautifully crafted, emotive lyrics – from fan favourite Outnumbered and the mesmerising Power Over Me, to the introspective Giants and the vulnerable of Something For Someone – Kennedy had the audience completely captured from the get-go.
Having begun his music career busking on the streets of Rathcoole, County Dublin when he was 17, Kennedy was humble and ecstatic to be playing a sold-out set at BST Hyde Park, performing in front of 65,000 people. “Honestly, this show is so great,” he told the crowd with a smile. “You’ll have a great time. Have a great night everyone.”
Clad in a white, floaty Mr Men-print dress – that she says she made herself from an old bedsheet – British acoustic talent Gabrielle Alpin embraced the steaming sunshine as she took to the stage in the late afternoon. “I’ve worn the wrong dress on stage,” she joked, pointing out the Little Miss icons adorning her, before impressing everyone with the likes of Panic Chord and Home from her debut record, English Rain. The 33-year-old Wiltshire-born star, who became famous for her acoustic sound, joked that had just spotted her sister in the crowd – “which is funny, because she should be looking after my dog.”
“What’s up, London. We’re Mt. Joy,” singer Matt Quinn announced, before diving straight into an uplifting rendition of Sheep. “We are absolutely thrilled to be here.” On the setlist this afternoon were top tracks from the LA rockers, including Highway Queen, Bathroom Light, Astrovan and Silver Lining. They even threw in a special Mt. Joy version of Teenage Dirtbag, much to the joy of the excitable crowd. The Philly act, who have been touring throughout the summer, derived their name from Mt. Joy in Valley Forge National Park, which – they say – is close to their hometown.
Country sensation Willow Avalon came all the way from Georgia to open the Great Oak Stage this afternoon. “Woo Lord, I’m a long way from home!” she declared, beaming at the building crowd. “I’m from a small town in Georgia, called Carlton and was raised a Baptist, but I was also raised by some of the craziest, biggest-haired southern women.” Addressing her inspiring rise to fame, Avalon shared how she had battled naysayers and bullies to get to where she is now – with her grandmother remaining her biggest supporter. Recounting her grandmother’s wise words, she said: “They’re going to hell in a handbag and I bet that shit’s cheap!” Recently, Avalon opened up about the tough path she has navigated to leave her home. She said: “Growing up I resented being in such a small town with little opportunities for a creative kid like myself. With only 200 people, one stop sign and a Baptist church, there wasn’t a clear path of how to follow my dreams while staying there. So I chose to leave.”
Headlining The Rainbow Stage was Kentucky rock band Ole 60. The fivesome walked into the limelight with intent to the strains of Dire Straits’ Money for Nothing and then went straight into the slow riffs and harmonies of dust 2 dust. “This next song is about a preacher,” explained singer Jacob Young, before launching into a mournful Brother Joe.
Noeline Hoffman, also on the Rainbow Stage, delivered the hits the country crowd demanded, including a rolling Rodeo. “My band and I are here in the UK touring for the first time all the way from Southern Alberta in Canada,” she told the audience. “It’s good to be here. It’s a beautiful day for it. It’s a smoker out there.” She wasn’t wrong.
Bringing us big start-of-the-day energy was the enigmatic Waylon Wyatt, who oozed both awe and confidence as he strutted onto the stage in a black cowboy hat. “This is my first time across the big pond and I’m glad to be here with y’all,” he said. “It’s a blessing to be here.” Wyatt also had some words of wisdom for fans in the audience. I just graduated high school, I’m 18 years old! Follow your dreams no matter what your age.”
Finally, Dublin musician Aaron Rowe and 22-year-old British-Indonesian minimalist alt-pop artist, Nadia Kadek also joined us for summery performances under the shade of the Bird Cage Stage.
BST Hyde Park returns with more superstars and unique shows. It has become THE place to be in the London summer, a date in the diary for hundreds of thousands of fans every year. This June and July will see more legendary artists take to the stage over three weekends with headliners Olivia Rodrigo (27 June), Zach Bryan (28 + 29 June) Noah Kahan (4 July), Sabrina Carpenter (5 + 6 July), neil young and the chrome hearts (11 July), Stevie Wonder (12 July) and Jeff Lynne’s ELO (13 July) taking over Hyde Park.
Tickets are on sale now
www.bst-hydepark.com | @bsthydepark
