Five minutes before Garth Brooks took to the stage at Hyde Park, a booming American voice announced over the PA that this was the largest show in British Summer Time (BST) history – a total sell-out, with extra tickets added. When Brooks appeared, he looked both astonished and delighted.
Emotional Return to London
Last time Brooks was in London, in 1994 at the peak of his stardom, he played one night at Wembley Arena. The change in scale seemed to shock him. When he performed Unanswered Prayers solo and the crowd sang it for him, he started to cry – not sparkling, joyful showbiz tears, but his face momentarily crumpled like someone truly overcome.
UK Fanbase and Streaming Absence
Doubtless country music's UK rise has brought some people here, but not many. The crowd was a generation older than for most country stars visiting London. Brooks has not put his catalogue on streaming services; his last album was released in an exclusive deal with Bass Pro Shops, the US fishing chain. Everyone here was here on purpose.
Vulnerability and Charm
Brooks's vulnerability must be part of his appeal. He is a portly, middle-aged man in Wranglers so new you could read the label on the big screen, and they fit him just as well as cheap jeans always fit portly, middle-aged men. When he opened with Rodeo, all storm-crossed and macho, it felt very at odds with his gentle, almost effeminate manner. You could not help but be charmed.
Setlist Highlights
The first hour of the show was perfectly judged, staying within the boundaries of country music but right up at the fence line. There was the Tex-Mex lilt of Two Piña Coladas, the weeping pedal steel and fiddles of The Beaches of Cheyenne, while That Summer felt like a cousin of Springsteen's Thunder Road. A cover of Night Moves, for a front-row fan with a sign, was wonderful but overestimated British familiarity with Bob Seger.
Final Verdict
The set sagged at the end, with too many band introductions and cameos – including a version of Shout performed by Brooks's longtime backing vocalist. But by then he had done all the heavy lifting, and no one went home wishing they had stayed in to watch the England game instead.
