Entering the stage from on high via a bungee trapeze P!nk, in between giant silver glittery palm trees, launched into what else, but ‘Get the Party Started’, with segments pop classics ‘Sweet Dreams’ and ‘Gonna Make You Sweat’ thrown in. This was followed swiftly by ‘Raise your Glass’ and ‘Just like a Pill’ after which the singer revealed “we’re so happy and honoured to be here”, following her last show in London in 2019.
For the appropriately named ‘Turbulence’ the dazzling performer wowed with an impressive acrobatic aerial display before taking to the piano to perform Bob Dylan’s ‘Make you Feel My Love’.
Getting personal for a moment, the singer explained; “this song made me feel better”, before an emotive ‘Please Don’t Leave Me’. As if this wasn’t intimate enough, she was then joined by daughter Willow Sage Hart for a tun through ‘Cover Me in Sunshine’.
Throwing in a number of other notable covers, First Aid Kit’s ‘Kids in Love’ got an airing, as did Sade’s ‘No Ordinary Love’.
To the relief of those at the far end of the sizable venue, the ball of energy announced; “I’m coming to see you all at the back”, and it was back up on the aerial high wire as she hurtled spinning around the BST site.
One of the most energetic, enthusiastic, and downright talented performers of a generation, P!nk proved exactly why she’s still at the top more than two decades after bursting onto the scene.
Earlier in the day, Gwen Stefani was clearly happy to also make a return to London after a long sixteen year absence. Mixing up hits from her solo career along with a number of inescapable No Doubt classics, her set included a delightful ‘The Sweet Escape’, a faithful take on Talk Talk’s ‘It’s My Life’, and set highlight ‘Don’t Speak’, as well as new single ‘True Babe’.
Meanwhile, surprise guest Eve joined Stefani for ‘Rich Girl’ and ‘Let Me Blow Ya Mind’, with the excited performer claiming; “[I] Don’t think you realise how much I love you!”. Encoring with ‘Just a Girl’ and ‘Hollaback Girl’, the humble singer signed off saying; “thank you for listening to my music”.
Elsewhere, Sam Ryder excitedly took to the “the hallowed ground” of Hyde Park on his birthday weekend, while rising star GAYLE who was first of the day on the Great Oak stage, proved one to watch..
BST Hyde Park 2023, which also includes the free midweek schedule featuring live music, entertainment and activities continues until 9 July 2023