I’m still a bit teary, and still floating somewhere above the Great Oak Stage after Sunday’s all-day 80s love-in at BST Hyde Park. I’ve been covering this festival for 15 years, and I can honestly say: Duran Duran’s day, with Groove Armada, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, and Scissor Sisters, gave me so much joy, possibly the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced in this park. And I’ve seen some crackers.
This wasn’t just a gig. It was a time machine back to my teenage years, where every single song was etched into my soul. Honestly, I can remember 80s lyrics better than what I had for lunch yesterday. From the moment Groove Armada kicked things off, on Andy Cato’s birthday, no less, to the final flamboyant notes of Rio, Hyde Park became a glittering, smile-soaked haven of people who had properly embraced the spirit of the 80s. And I mean properly. Shoulder pads, neon, ra-ra skirts, more eyeliner than you could shake a cassette tape at, the crowd was a glorious fancy-dress party where everyone was invited. But more than the clothes, what struck me was the beautiful, old-school human connection. People chatting to strangers, dancing together, no phones in sight (well, maybe a few for photos, but the vibe was deliciously offline). In a world of screens, Sunday was a delicious feast of real-life, face-to-face, sweaty-palmed, hug-a-stranger joy. I lost count of the people I embraced.
Groove Armada’s set was the perfect sun-drenched opener, filling the park with those iconic beats. Then came Nile Rodgers & CHIC, and if ever a man could bottle happiness, it’s Nile. Le Freak, Good Times, We Are Family, a disco ball of a medley that had everyone, from toddlers on shoulders to grandparents in glitter, dancing like no one was watching. When he brought out John Taylor for Good Times, I swear the park levitated.
Scissor Sisters then took the chaos levels up to eleven. Jake Shears in sequin dungarees, a giant inflatable pair of scissors, and a surprise appearance from Melanie C for a mash-up of Take Your Mama Out and George Michael’s Freedom, I mean, come on!
They dedicated Only The Horses to London, their adopted hometown, and by that point I was already a mess of happy tears.
But then came Duran Duran. Simon, Nick, John and Roger strolled on and launched straight into Is There Something I Should Know, and my cheeks were instantly soaked. Save A Prayer does it to me every single time. I cannot listen to that song without crying, and in a field with 65,000 strangers, I just let the tears roll. It’s the soundtrack of my youth, and apparently, I still know every single word.
Ordinary World was dedicated to the England football team ahead of their World Cup match, and suddenly I felt like I was 15 again, pinning posters on my bedroom wall and dreaming. The collaboration with Nile Rodgers on Notorious and Free To Love was the stuff of legends, two icons, one stage, all heart. Girls On Film mashed up with Psycho Killer under a soft-purple sky? Cinematic. The encore of London Calling, Wild Boys, Save A Prayer (more tears, obviously) and Rio was two hours of pure pop perfection, ending with confetti, screams, and a sea of beaming faces.
I’ve written about BST for a decade and a half, and I know a special day when I feel it. Sunday wasn’t just about the music, though the music was everything. It was about thousands of people collectively deciding to be present, to be silly, to be kind, to sing their hearts out alongside complete strangers who felt like lifelong friends. It was a masterclass in how live music can heal, connect, and make you remember exactly who you were when you first fell in love with a song. For one sun-kissed, glitter-drenched day, Hyde Park became a haven of 80s love, and I’m so grateful I was there, crying, dancing, and hugging my way through every moment.
If this was the best BST of 2026, it’s because on Sunday, we all left our worries at the gate and just felt. And mums, if your teenagers ask why you’re still humming The Reflex three days later, just tell them: some things are timeless. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a cup of tea and a lie-down. My cheeks still hurt from smiling.
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
