GARTH BROOKS BST Hyde PArk The first UK live show in almost 30 years
- Jun 29
- 6 min read
American Express presents BST Hyde Park got off to a blistering start on Saturday (27 June) with US superstar Garth Brooks, performing for a sellout crowd at London's greatest festival.
It was a field of cowboy hats in Hyde Park with the country legend sparking singing and dancing across the grass. On Saturday evening, Garth Brooks became the first artist to play under the new 69,999 capacity at Hyde Park, making this show the biggest capacity in the history of BST Hyde Park.
Faced with a huge display of affection from fans, a visibly emotional Brooks told them that "normally the magic comes from the stage but today it came from the audience."
Launching in with 'Rodeo', Brooks brought the party immediately for fans, who had travelled from across the UK and Ireland, to see the singer in action.
Dennis Robbins's 'Two of a Kind, Workin' On a Full House' followed, introducing a set packed with Brooks classics and covers.
Brooks said: "We're gonna play a lot of cowboy songs tonight. That's just what we do when we roll in. Here's one I hope you remember. I really hope you like it. It's called 'The Beaches of Cheyenne'."
An off the cuff version of Bob Seger's 'Night Moves' was prompted by a sign in the crowd, with Brooks joking: "It's nice to meet you. Kelly, do you understand that this is a show that cannot be changed on a dime? We got dance moves, we got it all going on right here, right?" before launching into a perfect version.
A singalong to 'The River' drew a "woah, listen to you", while the whole field knew every word of 'Two Pina Coladas'.
There were huge cheers for a take on 'Piano Man' by former BST Hyde Park headliner Billy Joel, whose 'Shameless' was also covered.
Before the inevitable anthem of 'Friends In Low Places', Brooks told the adoring audience: "I am shocked at the love that was sent this way tonight... I'm not sure what the future is, but you can bet your ass. I'm coming back here."
During his career, Brooks has received nearly every accolade imaginable, from the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor and the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song to record-breaking RIAA Diamond Awards and seven CMA Entertainer of the Year titles. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Musicians Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry and more, cementing his place as one of the most important figures in music history.
Faced with a huge display of affection from fans, a visibly emotional Brooks told them that "normally the magic comes from the stage but today it came from the audience."
Launching in with 'Rodeo', Brooks brought the party immediately for fans, who had travelled from across the UK and Ireland, to see the singer in action.
Dennis Robbins's 'Two of a Kind, Workin' On a Full House' followed, introducing a set packed with Brooks classics and covers.
Brooks said: "We're gonna play a lot of cowboy songs tonight. That's just what we do when we roll in. Here's one I hope you remember. I really hope you like it. It's called 'The Beaches of Cheyenne'."
An off the cuff version of Bob Seger's 'Night Moves' was prompted by a sign in the crowd, with Brooks joking: "It's nice to meet you. Kelly, do you understand that this is a show that cannot be changed on a dime? We got dance moves, we got it all going on right here, right?" before launching into a perfect version.
A singalong to 'The River' drew a "woah, listen to you", while the whole field knew every word of 'Two Pina Coladas'.
There were huge cheers for a take on 'Piano Man' by former BST Hyde Park headliner Billy Joel, whose 'Shameless' was also covered.
Before the inevitable anthem of 'Friends In Low Places', Brooks told the adoring audience: "I am shocked at the love that was sent this way tonight... I'm not sure what the future is, but you can bet your ass. I'm coming back here."
During his career, Brooks has received nearly every accolade imaginable, from the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor and the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song to record-breaking RIAA Diamond Awards and seven CMA Entertainer of the Year titles. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Musicians Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry and more, cementing his place as one of the most important figures in music history.
Earlier on, Zac Brown Band's 'Toes' had feet tapping and the crowd singing along: "Life is good today."
"We couldn't be more happy than being out with you today," said Zac. "Thanks so much. Thank you to the big man, to Garth, for having us here."
A riotous 'The Devil Went Down To Georgia' followed, truly setting in motion the evening's party, before: "We got a new album out. It's called Love & Fear. This is a new one...'Hard Run'. Thank you. Y'all are amazing."
Jackson Dean received a rapturous welcome as he took to the Rainbow Stage with songs from his recent album, Magnolia Sage.
"Man there's a lot of you out there. ("I love you" - audience member) I love you. Me and the boys are so happy to be back this side of the sea," he said. "This is an awesome day to be part of."
With a roar of electric guitar and banjo, Ashley McBryde put the 'rock'n'roll' in country rock on the Great Oak Stage.
Before a massive 'One Night Standards' she said: "I'm Ashley McBride. These are the people I make music with... My goodness, look at you. I'm looking at more people than the populations of everybody in this band's hometowns combined. This is the most people these Arkansans have ever seen in their life."
Mae Estes took to the Rainbow Stage, saying: "What's up Hyde Park. My name is Mae Estes, and it is an absolute dream come true to get to play some country music for y'all today.
"Now, listen, we get to travel the world, doing this dream come true right here, and we're never sure when we get to the crowd, if they're gonna like our kind of music or not. But we heard a rumour about y'all. Out here in London, we heard, you like your guitar with a twang?"Cue huge cheers as she kicked into 'Guitar With A Twang'.
The powerful voice of Alexandra Kay belted across the crowd with songs such as 'Everleave' and 'Straight For The Heart'.
"How are you doing Hyde Park? I can't believe I'm up here on this stage right now," she said.
There was no doubt that she deserved to be there but a rendition of Chappel Roan's 'Pink Pony Club' cemented her place as a fan favourite.
Pioneers of the modern UK country movement The Shires opened this year's Great Oak Stage, with Ben Earle saying: "We're so proud to be from the UK making country music and to see how far country music has come here."
First up on the Rainbow Stage, Crowe Boys had the crowd singing along with a cover of Snow Patrol's 'Chasing Cars'.
Incredible voices were on show at the Birdcage Stage, with Irish songwriter McGrath kicking things off and Leah Blevins delivering heartfelt tunes. Chanel Yates tore through her own songs and a version of Christina Aguilera's 'Genie In A Bottle' to a huge crowd.
Garth Brooks opened a huge BST Hyde Park line-up (27 June), which will see Hyde Park headline sets from ATEEZ (28 June), Maroon 5 (3 July), Mumford & Sons (4 July), Duran Duran (5 July), Pitbull (10 July) and Lewis Capaldi (11 July and 12 July).
Garth Brooks at BST Hyde Park Saturday 27th June 2026 setlist:
Rodeo
Two of a Kind, Workin' On A Full House (Dennis Robins cover)
The Beaches of Cheyenne
Two Pina Coladas
Night Moves (impromptu Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band cover)
The River
Papa Loved Mama
The Thunder Rolls
Unanswered Prayers (acoustic)
That Summer
Callin' Baton Rouge (The Oak Ridge Boys cover)
Ain't Going Down ('til The Sun Comes Up)
Shameless (Billy Joel cover)
Change The World (Gordon Kennedy impromptu performance)
Shout (Robert Bailey impromptu Isley Brothers cover)
The Dance (Tony Arata cover)
Piano Man (Billy Joel cover)
Friends in Low Places (Dewayne Blackwell cover)