Morgan Wallen at BST Hyde Park

As thousands of country music fans descend onto Hyde Park for BST Festival headlined by Morgan Wallen, the feeling of FOMO, if not wearing a cowboy hat or western boots, would be understandable. More than a previously overlooked genre that only topped charts across the pond, country music is undeniably having a mainstream moment as the defining sound of 2024. It marks a prominent shift for UK audiences and is evident from the buzz – and attire – of the London crowds for this Thursday night lineup as they eagerly await one of America’s biggest country stars on a very special 4^th July. 

Wallen is not the only name to play, with the day’s “support acts” already popular, respected country artists in their own right. This includes ERNEST, a frequent collaborator with Wallen and Alana Springsteen, headlining the Rainbow Stage and Riley Green, who delights the audience with easy-listening mid-tempo hits such as I Wish Grandpas Never Died. 

Finally, the Great Oak Stage unveils live backstage footage of the Tennessee-born artist dancing his way to the front, to roaring screams and anticipation as he opens with Ain’t That Some. This energy is both electric and infectious for the next two hours, proving Wallen as a world-class performer whilst letting his music and charisma take the spotlight over any other off-stage controversy. “I can honestly say I never thought I’d be celebrating July 4^th in London”, he shares, “after playing two songs I already feel at home.” With his fans singing along to every word as he bounds up and down the stage to greet them, it could easily feel like a homecoming concert. 

Tracks like One Thing at a Time, Up Down and Cowgirls (joined by ERNEST) are received as upbeat favourites but the singer also demonstrates versatility as he switches tempos effortlessly throughout. In a move attempting to recreate his intimate gigs earlier in his career, he transitions to a smaller stage facing the back of the 50,000-strong crowd. Singing stripped-back renditions including delicate Sand in my Boots on the piano and brand new ballad Lies Lies Lies, it’s a refreshing artistic choice and a rarer opportunity to appreciate the singer’s pitch-perfect vocals and harmonies with the band as well as the band’s instrumental prowess.   

One of the biggest cheers of the night is awarded to I Had Some Help, a recent collaboration with Post Malone that has since become a global sensation, which Wallen shares was nearly not released. The Grammy-nominated singer oozes cool in penultimate track Last Night, perfectly in sync with laser lights as the summer skies finally darken, leading to the fireworks-adorned conclusion The Way I Talk. By closing with his debut single, it’s a touching full-circle nod to his fans who have supported his career from the start, to the milestone of becoming the first country headliner of BST Hyde Park. 

Confident, self-assured and endlessly energetic, Morgan Wallen will not have disappointed his legion of loyal fans. Delivering a show-stopping 4^th July performance, it also marks a celebratory beacon of country music’s continued dominance in the UK…and a sign of even brighter milestones to come. 

Bev Lung
Photos: Kendall Vowells/Dave Hogan/ISHASHAH Photography

For further information and future events visit Morgan Wallen’s website here.

Watch the video for the single I Had Some Help here: