I couldn’t be more excited when Teresa asked me to go as a guest collaborator of StereoGiraffe to the British Summer Time Hyde Park 2016!! What a great honour!! Even more, when I realized that Mumfords & Sons were the Friday headlines.
I arrived slightly late despite myself. Already from the entrance I could hear Alabama Shakes performing. I was getting really nervous! I managed to get in and suddenly I felt as I was anywhere but Central London. There were people everywhere, coming and going, food stands, theme bars, games spots… no sign of the working time. I passed through all the people and discovered the Great Oak Stage, the main stage. It was constructed as if trees were taking over the space, with big screens at both sides of the stage and a large screen in the back. I had never thought I would enjoy a stage until I saw this one. It was beautiful and stunning.
However, I was not so excited about the sound. The general admission ticket did not give me the opportunity to stand up in front of the stage and, as may other people, I had to make do with remaining quite far away. Since the stage was very well designed I could still see the show pretty well, but the sound was not loud enough to silence the conversations. I must admit that I was disappointed. People around me did not seem to care about Alabama Shakes; the kept with their conversations, reason why I barely managed to hear the group. It was rather more a pleasant background music than a concert.
Luckily, the crowd was mainly composed of Mumford & Son’s fans, and when they appeared in the stage there was not more space for chatting. The public was completely into it and their performance was fantastic. They managed to keep the intensity mixing their greatest hits with the newest songs. Many guest artists joined the band at the stage, among them stood out Baab Maal, Beatenberg and The Very Best, that together with the Mumford & Sons have released their last album ‘Johannesburg’. It was incredible seeing so many musicians on the stage. They really got along and created a magical moment of joy. Closed to end they played the long-awaited ‘I will wait’ backed by everyone at the festival. Overall, it was a great concert at a unique site.
credits: Marta Moris
Stereo Giraffe 