Shania Twain at BST Hyde Park

It has been almost 21 years since singer Shania Twain performed at London’s Hyde Park. Returning to the stage for a headline set at BST’s Hyde Park concert series, the 58-year-old is full of gratitude: “I have played this stage once before, it’s been a while… here I am again and I just can’t thank you enough.”

Supported by an entirely female lineup – with the exception of The Corrs’ brother Jim and various backing musicians – Twain is in good company. The Great Oak Stage is reserved for musical icons of the past few decades, ranging from Natalie Imbruglia to Anne-Marie, whereas the Rainbow and Birdcage Stages showcase up-and-comers. The rain mostly stays away despite the forecast as the crowds gather for a day of uninhibited fun. Cowboy hats and boots make up the dress code, while Twain’s iconic lyric “Let’s go girls” adorns across many-a-chest. It’s a fitting slogan for a night like this; a celebration of women and girlhood.

Opening with 1997 hit Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You), the tone of the evening is instilled early. What follows is a rambunctious set of country bangers and pop hits. Twain’s confidence is intoxicating, effortlessly performing tracks from her 40-year career. Just two songs in, the singer asks for a tissue and informs the sold-out crowd that she is suffering from illness: “I have a little cold but who cares, it’s just a little sniffle,” she announces. While other artists may run off stage for privacy, the unphased popstar simply turns away to blow her nose before getting right back into the show. Unapologetically real and wildly likeable, it’s no surprise the popstar has managed to captivate audiences for so many years.

Famed for her ability to blend genres, the songstress flows between pop and country sounds throughout the 90-minute performance. The heel-tapping Giddy Up! is a high point, standing out as one of the newer offerings amongst a set of mostly classics. The production is gimmicky, but it works. Shania Twain isn’t here for the serious – she’s all about having fun. Her band join in, joyfully bounding around the stage and playfully interacting with each other. The energy is infectious and rarely wavers. At times the unrehearsed yet charming ramblings between songs get a little lost in the noise, but with such a respected catalogue of songs up her sleeve, it doesn’t take much to get back on track.

Some moments don’t quite hit the mark, as You’re Still the One notably falls a little flat. Perhaps due to the aforementioned illness, the songstress forgoes most of the singing and instead conducts the audience to take over. Performing on stage alone with an acoustic guitar, it feels a bit like the Canadian native is leading a group karaoke; a pity for such a well-known and stunning ballad. The emotional highpoint of the evening is instead a duet of From This Moment On, with Twain singing beautifully alongside one of her backing singers.

With the euphoria of the evening drawing to a close, there’s only one song left to finish things in style. As the opening beat to Twain’s biggest hit Man! I Feel Like A Woman! rings through the Central London park, the passion is overwhelming.

The best thing about being a woman? Singing your heart out to Shania Twain.

Katherine Parry
Photos: Virginie Viche/Dave Hogan

For further information and future events visit Shania Twain’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Giddy Up! here: