Pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo paints London purple - BST Hyde Park 2025 - Review
- Sonic Hub
- Jun 29
- 6 min read
Do you remember your first heartbreak? You certainly do, but if you don’t, pop princess Olivia Rodrigo will make sure to remind you, and so will all of her mates. London’s BST Hyde Park kicked off on Friday, 27th June, on a whopping 65k-people sold-out day, and the day was for the girls™, unbridled angst, the colour purple and dancing in the grass with your friends.
With a fully women & non-binary-led line-up, the sunny day began with Between Friends opening the Oak Stage. The LA duo, formed by siblings Savannah and Brandon Hudson, was an instant crowd-pleaser, warming up attendees for the day ahead. Premiering their new song ‘XD’ live for the first time, they brought pure pop joy and a keen eye for detail to the park, even brandishing a sneak peek of their new album tracklist, ‘WOW!’, which will be released on August 1st, in the form of semi-permanent tattoos. With a headlining tour in November, they were an instant highlight of the day. The Sonic Hub team caught up with them backstage on the day. Stay tuned for the interview.
British singer-songwriter Ruti, also on one of the earlier slots, brought the audience beautiful vocals. Having been the winner of The Voice UK’s 7th season, this came as no surprise. A true powerhouse with a natural and commanding stage presence, the interactions with the audience were truly wholesome, and the crowd was presented with a few new songs, which will be part of Ruti’s upcoming project.
As the day unfolded, flowerovlove showed us that, at only 19 years old, she knows exactly who she is. Gracing the stage with amazing set design and even getting on stage from a giant platform heeled shoe, her signature stage prop, she brought one of the most energetic sets of the day. Singing her new song ‘Got Enough of Them’,as well as the beloved ‘Not Your Girl’, it was an incredibly fun set to start the day with.
To add to the bill, Scottish singer-songwriter Katie Gregson-MacLeod took the stage. A master of stream-of-consciousness lyricism and stripped-down melodies, and one of the most distinctive voices of the day, MacLeod delivered a raw, honest set for all the hopeless romantics out there, with fans rejoicing with ‘complex’,which went viral on TikTok last year. MacLeod is much more than a viral TikTok moment, though, and that is palpable in the rest of her discography. The singer is releasing her debut EP, ‘Love Me Too Well, I’ll Retire Early’, on July 4th. We can’t wait to see what she does next.
Caity Baser, also a wonderful addition to the lineup, graced the Rainbow stage with new songs – the recently released ‘The Story of Her’ and the unreleased ‘As I Am’. In our recent interview Baser mentioned fans could expect new music, and she indeed delivered. With powerful belting vocals, Baser showcased her ability to make tough subjects seem light. An infinite source of energy, her set was busy with dedicated fans but also with newcomers alike, taking advantage of the intergenerationality of the crowd, becoming an instant highlight.
As the afternoon unfolded, Girl in Red, aka Marie Ulven, played a candid set. The Norwegian singer brought authentic queer joy to the front, connecting with the audience honestly via her diaristic lyricism. Girl in Red doesn’t shy away from speaking up about her struggles with mental health and the demystification of these, and she brings her lived experience to her sets, which is refreshing to witness. ‘Bad Idea’ brought energy levels up, and the queer anthem ‘Girls’ felt poignant during Pride Month. Although the set was hindered by technical difficulties, Ulven proved to be a seasoned professional, demonstrating immense resilience and professionalism. Known for stage-diving during her sets, the singer chose not to continue the tradition this time around due to the audience in attendance being much younger than her usual crowd. Because of this, she came down to perform the last chorus of ‘i wanna be your girlfriend’, even jokingly asking a young attendee their age, who said she was 10, to the laughs of everyone around. Although Girl in Red’s set was somewhat dissonant to the majority of the demographic in attendance due to being quite young, we expect that quite interesting conversations must have unfolded after that night — the singer cemented herself as one of the coolest and most promising acts of today’s alt-scene.
With a notably young crowd, the day also reflected ongoing conversations around ‘concert etiquette’. Much discourse and analysis have emerged post-pandemic, with some experts noting a rise in antisocial behaviours at live shows. Festivals can be a mixed bag, and at times, certain acts didn’t receive the love they truly deserved. Reinstating a culture where festivals are seen as spaces to discover new artists, while practising respect for openers and fellow attendees, is essential to the health of the live music ecosystem. With such a passionate, youthful crowd, there’s hope that the newer generation will carry this forward and pass it on to those who come after them.
The beloved The Last Dinner Party (TLDP) took to the stage as the sun came down. TLDP is no stranger to a London crowd; the London-based band was only formed in 2021 but has already amassed high levels of acclaim and popularity from fans and critics. In a genre that for so long had been dominated by male-fronted bands, it is a breath of fresh air to see a group of women and non-binary individuals take up space and command the stage as if it has always belonged to them. With a second studio album in the works, the band played a new song, ‘Big Dog’,to the delight of the crowd, which we are excited to hear in digital form in due course. From wardrobe to vocals to instruments, the performance was ethereal, with the cool '70s flair the band has already made us accustomed to. Bands often have a member who gets more spotlight than others, but TLDP defies that norm, giving each member time to shine individually and showcase their strong suits. A particular highlight came when Emily Roberts, TLDP’s guitarist, played a guitar solo during ‘Mirror’. Roberts has often mentioned that Queen’s Brian May is her hero and we can’t help but wonder if one day, the young people in attendance will look at Roberts as their hero, too. Ending the set with the beloved ‘Nothing Matters’, the band got everyone singing the lyrics back to end, bringing a celestial ending to the golden hour.
To end the night, the much-awaited Olivia Rodrigo arrived in knee-high boots glory, with the sea of purple and sequins excited from the get-go. Olivia Rodrigo needs no introduction. Since the release of her debut album ‘Sour’ in 2021, she has cemented herself as one of the most exciting artists of her generation. With honest lyricism, which depicts the rawness and confusion of girlhood, it is unsurprising that so many people across generations relate to her music. Flirting with the British audience, Rodrigo mentioned how London is her favourite city and professed her love for M&S sweets and British humour.
Starting the night with the powerful anthem ‘Bad Idea, Right?’, Rodrigo set the tone for the evening, with the crowd singing every word with excitement. ‘Drivers License’, the song that catapulted Rodrigo to stardom, brought the vulnerability that is sprinkled throughout the lyrics. It was special to see fans on-screen singing so passionately — we have all been there, and Rodrigo knows it too well. ‘Traitor’, one of Rodrigo’s most powerful songs, moved 65k people to astronomical levels of yearning. For those who have accompanied the singer’s career, her growth is significant, and it is obvious she is much more confident in herself, and her stage presence confirms this fact. The pop-punk elements brought by the band, especially in ‘Obsessed’, bring a fresh coat of paint to Rodrigo’s performances, which is quite exciting.
Mid-set, and to the delight of the audience, Ireland’s favourite ginger, Ed Sheeran, made a special appearance. With their voices blending beautifully, the duo sang Sheeran’s ‘A-Team,’ which was huge for those who grew up with the Irish singer-songwriter. Rodrigo’s honesty is her superpower, and it is magical to witness so many people from all walks of life gathering together about themes that are so universal, but also so deeply personal. Amassing a great number of fans, especially a legion of young women and girls who sing every lyric from front to back, Rodrigo gives us hope that the kids will, indeed, be alright, and serves as a reminder that being vulnerable and honest with yourself and those around you is what makes the world go ‘round.
BST Hyde Park continues throughout the summer, with names such as Noah Kahan and Sabrina Carpenter being the next artists to grace the park. Full line-up and FAQs here.
WORDS ANA PINTO & BEA VASQUES
PHOTOS ALL CREDIT TO THE PHOTOGRAPHERS ABOVE MENTIONED
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