Hyde Park was set ablaze as legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses delivered an electrifying performance on the Great Oak Stage at the American Express presents BST Hyde Park concert. An explosive lineup including The Pretenders, The Darkness, and Larkin Poe preceded the night.
With band members Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, Dizzy Reed, Richard Fortus, Frank Ferrer, and Melissa Rees in full force, the iconic group took the stage in front of a massive audience of 65,000, treating fans to a marathon of hits spanning their illustrious 38-year career.
The crowd erupted as Guns N’ Roses kicked off their set with the classic “It’s So Easy” from their iconic 1987 album “Appetite for Destruction.”
From there, the band unleashed a relentless onslaught of rock gold, blending familiar favorites like “Welcome To The Jungle,” “Mr. Brownstone,” “Double Talkin’ Jive,” and “Patience” with newer tracks such as “Hard Skool,” “Slither” (Velvet Revolver), and “Estranged.”
The band even transformed “Civil War” into an emotional tribute to Ukraine, displaying footage of war-torn houses on the screens behind them.
Axl Rose addressed the crowd, exclaiming, “You all looking f great,” as the band powered through an extensive catalog of rock anthems. Their set included iconic covers like “Live and Let Die” (Wings), “T.V. Eye” (The Stooges), “Down On The Farm” (U.K. Subs), and “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” (Bob Dylan).
As the night progressed, the air filled with anticipation for the band’s beloved classics. The crowd roared as Guns N’ Roses delivered unforgettable performances of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “November Rain.” After a staggering three-hour set, the band concluded with an explosive encore featuring “Nighttrain,” “Don’t Cry,” and the iconic “Paradise City.”
The Pretenders set the stage on fire
Meanwhile, The Pretenders, who have been supporting Guns N’ Roses throughout their U.K. and European tours, set the stage on fire with their powerful opening act. Taking the second slot on the Great Oak Stage, Chrissie Hynde and her band delivered a non-stop array of hits, including crowd favorites like “Talk of The Town” and the beautiful “Hymn To Her.” The set also featured the sparkling “Tattooed Love Boys” and the classic “I’ll Stand By You.”
“We are as excited as you are to see Guns N’ Roses,” exclaimed Hynde with a grin before launching into the anthemic “Don’t Get Me Wrong.” Her stage presence was fierce and captivating throughout the performance, culminating in a memorable finale with “Mystery Achievement.”
The BST Hyde Park concert was an unforgettable night of rock and roll, leaving fans exhilarated and craving more from these legendary bands.
