AMERICAN EXPRESS PRESENTS… BST HYDE PARK LONDON 2025 - NOAH KAHAN
An emotional triumph
★★★★☆ (4/5)
NOAH KAHAN PERFORMING AT AMERICAN EXPRESS PRESENTS…
BST HYDE PARK LONDON 2025 ON 4TH JULY 2025
PHOTOCREDIT: SOPHIAJCAREY
On a golden Friday in July, London’s Hyde Park played host to singer-songwriter Noah Kahan. Headlining the 4th of July, Kahan transformed the sprawling Great Oak Stage into an exploration of his American New England home. He captivated the sold-out, 65,000-strong audience, with his distinctive blend of raw vulnerability, soaring melodies and relatability.
Across the day, a star-studded lineup delivered support sets which primed the crowd for the headliner. Superstar producer Finneas took a step from behind the production desk and into the spotlight during his solo set. With songs like “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night” and “Till Forever Falls Apart”, the early-going concert attendees settled into good spirits.
Gracie Abrams performed as the penultimate act on the Great Oak Stage. Fresh from Glastonbury and with her chart-topping album “The Secret of Us” she already has the makings of a megastar. Her pop-rock stylings found a perfect home in the early evening light. The angst-filled “Close to You” proved a highlight as Abrams closed her set with its electronic chorus. With that, the final support act of the day was finished and with a quick changeover, the stage was set for the evening headliner.
From the moment Kahan stepped on stage, he had the audience’s attention as he led them on a journey which covered love, loss and heartache. Opening the set with the rousing “All My Love”, he set the evening's tone which would oscillate from euphoric sing-alongs to whispers of heartbreaking yearning. The vast sea of fans which filled the park sang along to every word, playing testament to the resonance his music has found across continents.
Kahan’s setlist looked to cover his already well-established hits, while also looking to the future and the inspirations which fuel his songs. An early duet brought Gracie Abrams back to the stage for the two to perform “Everywhere, Everything”, to the audience’s collective delight. Fan favourites like “Dial Drunk” showed Kahan’s ability to weave complex storytelling into crowd pleasers, and received huge cheers. Unreleased tracks such as “Deny” speak of his evolving artistry. Powerful moments proved plentiful, as upbeat barn burners would veer into sombre ballads such as “Call Your Mom”, on which singer-songwriter Gigi Perez joined for a heart-wrenching rendition. Perhaps none felt more poignant than the nostalgia of “You’re Gonna Go Far” painted a picture of leaving idyllic small town life for a journey which has led him to playing some of the biggest stages in the world. Especially apt tonight, given the scale of the evening show and the fact Kahan had just played to tens of thousands more at Glastonbury.
In the encore Kahan further delighted fans by bringing on singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi for a stunning rendition of Northern Attitude. The crowd’s clear love for Capaldi further elevated the emotive stance of the night. It was then time to see out the night with the undeniable hit “Stick Season”, already a classic of modern times. The wistful chorus received the largest chants of the night, as the emotional catharsis of the night reached its peak.
Kahan delivered a masterclass of a set which showed an artist firing on all cylinders. With chart-topping hits already under his belt, and new material already delighting fans, the stage is set for his success to continue.