After almost 30 years, Garth Brooks, one of the biggest-selling country singers of all time, returned to UK shores for a record-breaking, sold-out concert in London, filled with Stetsons, whiskey and, to quote the Friends in Low Places hitmaker himself, songs about cowboys.
Kicking off BST Hyde Park 2026, Brooks’ long-awaited England appearance marked his first time in London since 1994, and five minutes before showtime, an announcement came from the stage that so many tickets had been sold, Hyde Park’s capacity had been increased, making it the largest gig the festival has ever hosted.
Ahead of the headline set, UK country music stalwarts The Shires opened up the incredible Great Oak Stage, making way for pop-country hitmaker Alexandra Kay and Arkansas rocker Ashley McBryde, who undeniably is one of the acts steering the genre back to its roots.
As a day festival, BST has more to offer than just the main stage, and the guitar and mandolin combination from Crowe Boys offered an authentic acoustic sound while Irish musician McGrath brought both originals and covers to Hyde Park as fans found shade where they could.
Clashes are inevitable, and as Jackson Dean took to the Rainbow Stage, Kentucky’s own Leah Blevins offered acoustic renditions of songs from her brand new album, All Dressed Up, on the Birdcage Stage.
Leah, whose management is the same as Garth Brooks’, spoke to Erazer a few weeks before the show, and said ‘it’ll be a family affair of some sort.’
As the sun started to set, people both ate and sang along to Chicken Fried, as the Zac Brown Band brought their Atlanta cheer to London. Performing both the group’s own hits, as well as covers of Jimmy Buffett and The Charlie Daniels Band, the energy was high as one of the most anticipated shows in country music wasn’t about to begin.
An on-screen countdown preceded Garth and the band as they opened up with Rodeo, which was met with the screams and cheers of fans who have been waiting decades for this moment. The show didn’t stop moving, with The Beaches of Cheyenne, Two Piña Coladas and a mass singalong to The River soon following.
Taking a moment to introduce the musicians behind him, every band member was honoured, including backing singer Robert Bailey Jr., who took the reins on a cover of the Isley Brothers’ Shout, and songwriter Gordon Kennedy, who serenaded the audience with the song that won him a Grammy, Change The World.
Garth’s encore was subtle to begin with, as he launched into a cover of Piano Man (on the guitar), offering a moment with just himself and 70 thousand fans. After that, it was finally time to say goodnight, and although there was no sign of a guest appearance from fellow singer and Garth’s wife, Trisha Yearwood, when the band started Friends in Low Places, all troubles were forgotten, and it was made clear why Garth is one of the best in the business.
No one can argue Garth Brooks’ Hyde Park concert wasn’t a major moment for the UK country music community, and although segments of the performance felt slightly inauthentic – as if his emotional moments were part of the setlist – the gig was one to remember, as you literally cannot get bigger than the biggest-selling solo artist in American history.
BST Hyde Park will continue over select days until Sunday, July 12, with appearances on the way from Pitbull, Lewis Capaldi, Mumford & Sons, Duran Duran and Maroon 5.
