BST Hyde Park: Johnny Marr, Stereophonics and headliners Pearl Jam bring star quality to Saturday night

Staging some legendary bands in their penultimate night, British Summertime give us the likes of The Smiths’ Johnny Marr, Welsh rockers Stereophonics and Seattle’s finest grunge group, Pearl Jam as headliners. 

Marr indulges fans by performing classic Smiths tracks amidst his solo material, teasingly asking, “Does anyone have any requests?”. Single Armatopia sets things off, but the guitarist soon reverts to older classic Panic, while Spirit Power and Soul (Fever Dreams PTS 1-4), is infused in 80s sonic pulses. Marr continually demonstrates his genius, while the cameras zoom in on his expert guitar playing. With songs such as This Charming Man, How Soon Is Now and There Is a Light That Never Goes Out completing the set (“dedicated to Eddie and the boys”), the famed Mancunian reinforces his status as a prominent figure in the music scene. Performing the lesser known Getting Away With It, from his work with the supergroup Electronic, Marr never fails to entertain. 

Kelly Jones takes to the Great Oak Stage with Stereophonics, playing a mix of old and new. Starting off with C’est la Vie, the band don’t take long to get people in the mood, however, there is a little issue with the drum beat that overpowers everything, which is not a problem with the other acts. With the added challenge of condensing 12 studio albums, plus a compilation record and live LP, the set is a good one and an early highlight is the astonishing solo drum section by Jamie Morrison. Taken from 1999’s Performance and Cocktails, The Bartender and the Thief is a perfect festival track, along with Pick a Part That’s New, while Maybe Tomorrow remains a stunning semi-acoustic rendition. Joy is spread with A Thousand Trees that is filled with optimistic nostalgia, befitting the tree-bordered stage. Hit single Have a Nice Day soon follows, matching the weather wonderfully, while Dakota is a faultlessly rendered closing.

The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love creates a pleasant atmosphere before Pearl Jam hit the stage with Corduroy (Vitalogy, 1994). Tonight’s set is distinct from to the previous evening’s, the band known for playing different tracks so that fans are encouraged to attend both nights. Eddie Vedder’s vocals are warm and urgent as ever, and there is a beautiful quality that’s always listenable. Popular win with fans Why Go? elicits arms in the air and gorgeous collective singing, while Mike McCready jams out on guitar – one of many solos. The growling Deep sees Vedder jump high from stage right, reminding the audience of his memorably energetic performance style. 

Pearl Jam’s humanity and their frontman’s empathy for fans are elements that make the band likeable; he stops the performance to call attention to a person requiring assistance, and compliments the crowd, saying they are particularly special in the way they treat each other. The rarely played Garden is an iridescent soulful gem, and it is this blend of mellower tracks with much heavier ones that establishes Pearl Jam as music leaders. When Vedder brings out Marr for a Neil Young cover of Throw Your Hatred Down, following a heartfelt speech on the increasing epidemic of gun violence, one gets the feeling history is being made: one legend with another. Although Jeremy would have been another perfect alternative, fans are still happy seeing two rock icons jam together – a definite highlight. 

The set is focused on their first three albums, but there is enough range to sustain enjoyment and appeal. The ever-emotional Black brings many tears, a magical rendition during golden hour, while Alive is the powerhouse track everyone needs. Vedder does not shy away from voicing his views, and tonight is no exception as he dedicates River Cross to the people of Ukraine. 

Another highlight comes when the singer connects with a young fan who is at his first concert, and McCready plays an entire guitar solo for the lucky kid, who’s grinning ear-to-ear as his face lights up the screen. Finishing off the two nights, The Who’s Baba O’Riley coincides with a fantastic visual display, cameras gliding over thousands of happy faces, an end to a gloriously hot day, with one heck of a legendary line-up. 

Selina Begum
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Pearl Jam’s website here.

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