This year’s British Summertime series has been an impressive spectacle. Kings of Leon delivered a set filled with their biggest hits, while Robbie Williams, accompanied by special guests like Gaz Coombes and a 44-piece brass band of Beefeaters, Coldstream, and Welsh Guards, put on a show of heavy entertainment. Next on stage was Stevie Nicks, who, renowned for her time with Fleetwood Mac and hits like “Rhiannon,” also performed tracks from her solo albums Bella Donna and The Wild Heart.
Nicks opened with “Outside the Rain,” cleverly nodding to Britain’s weather obsession. Luckily, the skies stayed clear for the 65,000 attendees at this sold-out open-air concert. The second song, “Dreams,” transported Hyde Park back to Nick’s Fleetwood Mac days, creating a mesmerizing effect as countless smartphones lit up the night.
Supported by a talented ensemble of musicians and backing singers, Nicks’ set featured extended instrumental introductions, interludes, and playouts, showcasing the skill of her band. Her costume changes, mostly involving shawls, were subtle but elicited ecstatic reactions from the crowd each time she reappeared.
A standout moment was Nicks’ rendition of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.” Originally not intended as a political song, Nicks used it to stress the importance of voting with an upcoming American election. She also performed “Free Fallin’” by the late Tom Petty, reminiscing about their 2017 British Summertime performance.
Nicks’ covers of Fleetwood Mac classics like “Gypsy,” “Gold Dust Woman,” and “Rhiannon” were met with enthusiasm, but it was her solo hit “Edge of Seventeen” that garnered the loudest applause. Just when it seemed the performance had peaked, Nicks brought out a special guest: Harry Styles. Their duet and Nicks’ heartfelt tribute to her former bandmate Christine McVie, who would have turned 81 that day, elevated the concert to an unforgettable high.
Nicks’s success at Hyde Park wasn’t just due to her vocal prowess but also her band’s strength and ability to evoke nostalgic memories from her solo career and time with Fleetwood Mac. Her choice of special guests and sincere tributes to Tom Petty and Christine McVie added a heartfelt touch, leaving the audience both elated and emotionally moved.
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