AMERICAN EXPRESS PRESENTS... BST HYDE PARK 2025 - ZACH BRYAN // HYDE PARK, LONDON
Country megastar strikes the right chord
★★★★★ (5/5)
ZACH BRYAN HEADLINING TWO NIGHTS AT AMERICAN EXPRESS PRESENTS… BST HYDE PARK 2025
PHOTOCREDIT: JRCMCCORD
A sun-drenched Saturday marked the BST festival debut of Country singer-songwriter Zach Bryan. Playing the first of two sold-out shows at Hyde Park served to underline the sheer scale of success that Bryan has achieved through his unique blend of masterful songwriting and powerful lyrics.
Before Bryan took to the stage, the over 65,000 fans in attendance were treated to a bill of amazing country, Americana and singer-songwriter performances which harkened back to the headline act.
Ole 60, the Kentucky-based band known for a gritty blend of Southern rock and modern country, lit up the Rainbow Stage with a firecracker of a set. Their performance of “smoke & a light” had the crowd stomping and hollering, setting the perfect tone for the evening ahead.
Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy performed as the penultimate act on the Great Oak Stage and captivated the thousands in attendance. As a powerhouse vocalist, Kennedy’s heartfelt lyrics were further elevated by the calibre of his vocal performance. Mega-hits such as “Outnumbered” and “Power Over Me” delighted the crowd, eliciting cheers, sing-alongs and tears. It was a reminder of Kennedy’s unique ability to bridge the worlds of folk, pop, and soul with effortless grace.
For the main event, from the second Bryan stepped on stage with his band the atmosphere was electric. Opening with the rousing “Overtime” and the triumphant “Open the Gate” Bryan set the tone for an evening which wove through love, loss and the American heartland.
Bryan’s earthy vocals delivered his poetic lyrics with gusto. Imbuing powerful emotion throughout, even as he deftly transitioned from the stomp of “Motorcycle Drive By” to the haunting heartbreak of “I Remember Everything”.
A deep-rooted passion was palpable from the audience, and the affection was returned by Bryan who seemed in awe of the warm welcome. The strength of the connection helped to make the vast expanse of Hyde Park feel like an intimate fireside performance, creating a special vulnerability as performers and fans shared an emotive moment. The opening notes of each song brought a fresh wave of cheers from the crowd, showing the depth of quality in Bryan’s catalogue. The set covered Bryan’s various albums and EPs, delivering hits and fan favourite deep cuts. This also included a performance of the new track “Streets of London”, set for release on Monday.
Aptly, the setting London sun provided an idyllic backdrop to the iconic “Something in the Orange”, where a wistful chorus was belted word for word by the crowd into the auburn sky.
A euphoric rendition of “Revival” saw the crowd in a frenzy as Bryan wrenched every last bit of energy out of his fans. A chorus of cowboy hats screamed the lyrics as the band turned Hyde Park into a country music cathedral. The crescendo of fireworks that lit up the night sky seared a memento of the evening into the minds of those in attendance, and those on stage.
As the thousands of fans left Hyde Park, there was unanimous praise for Bryan, his band, and the performers of the day. It was an exceptional day that showed a megastar at the height of his powers.
ZACH BRYAN HEADLINING TWO PERFORMANCES AT AMERICAN EXPRESS PRESENTS… BST HYDE PARK 2025
PHOTOCREDIT: ISHASAH PHOTOGRAPHY