Gig review: Move over Glasto – Zach Bryan just made BST Hyde Park the festival of the Summer

While the world raves about Glastonbury and Rod Stewart’s epic show, there’s something distinctly magical – and wonderfully convenient – about British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park. This year’s festival, especially over the weekend of 28–29 June headlining Zach Bryan, was proof that London knows how to throw an epic party. Two days of music, sunshine, cowboy boots, and soulful Americana made for a spectacular showcase – and unlike Glasto, at the end of each day, we could head home, kick off our boots, and sleep in our own beds. No mud, no tents – just world-class performances and urban comfort.

Zach Bryan at BST Hyde Park Photo credit: @ISHASHAHPHOTOGRAPHY

BST Hyde Park 2025: Why this London Festival rivals Glasto — With comfy beds to boot

Teen Reporter Verdict: Maya Benedetti on Zach Bryan’s 28 June Show

BST Day Two was an emotional roller-coaster, thanks to the phenomenal Zach Bryan. According to 18-year-old Maya Benedetti, one of our brilliant teen reporters, it was a night fans will never forget:

“From start to finish, the vibes were amazing. The crowd was full of energy, dancing around and shouting the lyrics of his songs, and Zach’s set was incredible. Every song he played hit the heart, and hearing him live was something truly special.”

Maya described a sunset moment during “Something in the Orange” as “truly iconic” — especially with the addition of a full orchestra, which elevated Zach’s set to cinematic levels. A standout moment came when Zach invited a TikTok fan on stage for his 23rd birthday, allowing him to sing alongside his hero in front of 65,000 cheering fans. He also premiered an unreleased ballad about homesickness in Oklahoma — a poignant reminder of how live music can forge human connection. “Zach Bryan didn’t just play a concert,” Maya concluded. “He gave us an experience we’ll always remember.”

Editor’s Take: The Sunday Showdown, 29 June

I attended night two of Zach’s London takeover, and though he skipped the London-dedicated song he performed on the 28th, the show was no less electric. Kicking off with a blast of Don’t Look Back In Anger and The Star-Spangled Banner, Zach stepped on stage like a rockstar — blue denim, black jeans, harmonica in hand — and launched into Overtime with the force of a storm.

Throughout the night, his 16-piece band (yes, sixteen musicians!) wove together banjo, violin, electric and lap guitars, brass, strings, and harmonica into a rich Americana tapestry. One moment it was foot-stomping bluegrass, the next an emotional country waltz. Dermot Kennedy’s surprise appearance to perform Hey Driver brought the house down — and Michaela from Ireland, another lucky fan, joined Zach on stage to duet for her birthday. His gratitude was palpable: “This is the best day of my life here at Hyde Park. This is a dream come true.”

Zach is young, raw, and already a seasoned storyteller. And there’s no denying country music is having a major revival here in the UK — the BST 2025 lineup alone proves that. From Bryan’s Country Boys Don’t Die Alone to the trumpet-laced Pink Skies, there was joy, pain, and pride in every beat. Sure, he declared, “I f***ing love you, London!” multiple times — and then cheekily reminded us he still misses Oklahoma — but we forgave him the second the fireworks lit up the sky in sync with Revival.

The Day’s Supporting Stars

The Sunday showcase was a parade of country brilliance. Dermot Kennedy delivered a mesmerising set filled with emotional vocals and acoustic magic. Willow Avalon — with her sequinned Union Jack skirt and tequila-soaked lyrics — was as charming as she was fierce, while Gabriella Rose’s Idaho sass (and her mum’s marital advice) had the crowd in stitches.

Country newcomers Ole 60 and Noeline Hofmann delivered heartfelt and rowdy sets on the Rainbow Stage, with Hofmann’s Purple Gas — a previous Zach Bryan collab — hitting just right. Bo Staloch, Angel White, Jasper Hodges, and Waylon Wyatt rounded off a perfect showcase of what the next generation of country stars looks and sounds like.

Why BST Hyde Park Hits Different

It’s easy to see why everyone flocks to Glasto, but BST Hyde Park has built a loyal following for a reason. There’s no mud. You can wear your favourite shoes without sacrificing them to the gods of sludge. You get top-tier performances, excellent food, clean loos (yes, really), and best of all — a soft bed waiting for you at the end of it.

In short: BST isn’t trying to be Glastonbury — it’s something arguably better. It’s grown-up festival fun, family-friendly, high quality, and brilliantly curated. Whether you’re a teen dancing at the barriers or a parent enjoying a cheeky rosé from the picnic blanket, this is London at its finest.

So next year, skip the camping gear. Grab your sunscreen, your most comfortable cowboy boots, and your closest music-loving mates — and book your BST tickets early. Because once the fireworks go off above Hyde Park and you’re humming country tunes on your way home to a proper pillow… you’ll wonder why you ever did festivals any other way.

For more info and ticket updates: www.bst-hydepark.com

BST Hyde Park has become THE place to be in the London summer, a date in the diary for hundreds of thousands of fans every year. More legendary artists will take to the stage over next weekends with headliners Noah Kahan (4 July), Sabrina Carpenter (5 + 6 July), Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts (11 July), Stevie Wonder (12 July) and Jeff Lynne’s ELO (13 July).

Monica Costa

Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums