In a historic turn for British summer festivals, country music took centre stage at this year’s American Express presents BST Hyde Park 2025, not just once, but across an three full days and then some. At the heart of it all stood Zach Bryan, the Oklahoma troubadour whose two-night headline residency proved that country music isn’t just thriving—it’s leading the global conversation. Following Bryan was Noah Kahan, with a sold out show on the 4th July, the American Independence holiday. It was an emotionally charged masterclass in modern folk-pop storytelling and perfectly introduced surprise guest Lewis Capaldi.
While BST Hyde Park has long been a home for pop legends and rock icons, this year marked a significant cultural shift: the full-throated embrace of country music on one of the most prestigious stages in the UK. And it wasn’t just about one man or one moment—it was about a movement. A wave of artists, from rising stars to genre-pushing veterans, created a weekend that might just go down in country music history.
Zach Bryan: A New Kind of Country Star
When Zach Bryan took to the Great Oak Stage on Saturday 28 June, the crowd of 65,000 fans already knew they were in for something special. Bryan didn’t just deliver; he redefined the boundaries of what a country headliner looks like in 2025. Clad in a black Ozzy Osbourne tank top, Bryan burst onto the scene with “Overtime”, setting off a 23-song journey through six years of deeply personal, soul-stirring music.
Whether it was the haunting lap-steel introduction to “Something in the Orange”, the tearjerking harmonica of “Pink Skies”, or the fan-invited singalong to “Heading South”, Bryan reminded the UK crowd that country music isn’t about clichés—it’s about connection. When he brought Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy on stage for “Hey Driver”, Hyde Park sang every word like it was a hymn. Bryan also took a moment to invite a fan on stage. 23-year-old Ollie Hawkins earned his place next to his idol, singing Heading South, after being spotted on TikTok
Sunday’s encore performance was no repeat—it was a reaffirmation. With another set of Bryan’s raw, passionate catalogue, and a special guest appearance by Noeline Hofmann on “Purple Gas”, he proved that country is no longer America’s best-kept secret. It’s a global force.
More Than a Headliner: A Country Music Showcase
While Bryan commanded headlines, the supporting acts cemented the weekend as a genre-spanning celebration of modern country’s diversity.
Dermot Kennedy, whose roots lean into folk-pop but whose storytelling belongs in the same breath as Bryan and Isbell, gave two emotional, unforgettable sets. His mix of hits—“Power Over Me”, “Rome”, “Giants”—sounded as powerful under the London sunset as they might in an Irish pub..
On both days, Willow Avalon, the fiery Georgia-born newcomer with a Baptist upbringing and a punk attitude, proved that authenticity is still the most valuable currency in country. From the empowering “Something We Regret” to the unapologetic “Tequila or Whiskey”, Avalon’s truth-telling lyrics struck a chord. Her collaboration with Waylon Wyatt on “Smoke and Embers” felt like a passing of the torch from the next generation of Southern storytellers.
Women at the Front of the Revival
BST Hyde Park 2025 also served as a powerful platform for women in country, a genre that hasn’t always given them equal footing. Yet over the course of the weekend, they stole the spotlight.
Gabrielle Aplin, with her folk-infused acoustic roots, brought nostalgic clarity with tracks like “Panic Chord” and “Home”. Meanwhile, Gabriella Rose, a dazzling newcomer from Idaho, made her UK debut with sass, sparkle, and a sequin Union Jack stitched into her outfit. Her defiant anthem “Money Makes the Heart Go ‘Round” might just become the next viral hit to bridge the Atlantic.
Noeline Hofmann, hailing from the Canadian plains, brought earthy vocals and back-to-back hits including “Rodeo” and the Bryan duet “Purple Gas”. With her warm tone and whip-smart lyrics, Hofmann solidified herself as a name to watch.
The Rainbow Stage: Where New Roots Grew
If the Great Oak Stage was for the headliners, The Rainbow Stage and Bird Cage Stage were country music’s fertile ground for discovery.
Ole 60, the Kentucky five-piece who channeled Dire Straits and Southern grit, delivered sets both intimate and arena-worthy. From the mournful “Brother Joe” to the raucous “Dust to Dust”, they swung from introspection to jubilation with ease.
Meanwhile, Waylon Wyatt, at just 18 years old, was perhaps the most poignant reminder of country’s youthful resurgence. With heartfelt lyrics and stage presence well beyond his years, Wyatt’s early sets felt like a coming-of-age moment for both artist and audience. Read our in-depth Waylon Wyatt interview here.
The Bird Cage Stage introduced us to names like Bo Staloch, Angel White, and Jasper Hodges, each one bridging genres—from Americana and pop-folk to minimalist alt-country. It was a celebration of country’s genre fluidity, where twang, trap, and tenderness all co-existed.
Noah Kahan’s Monumental Night
In front of a sold-out crowd of 65,000 on Friday 4 July, 2025, Noah Kahan opened with All My Love and powered through fan favourites like New Perspective, False Confidence, and Everywhere, Everything, joined by Gracie Abrams.
“I played to 77 people in London once — and it was the greatest day,” he told fans. “There’s a lot more of you tonight!” Kahan walked through the crowd, embracing the scale of his biggest show yet.
The night’s most electric moment came when Lewis Capaldi made a surprise appearance to duet Northern Attitude during the encore — both wearing Chelsea FC shirts. Capaldi, fresh off a UK Number One with Survive, matched Kahan’s emotional energy note for note.
Earlier, Gigi Perez joined Kahan for a touching performance of Call Your Mom. “My mum’s here tonight,” Kahan said tearfully. “She used to drive me to play to nobody. This one’s for her — and for yours.”
He closed with his signature hit, Stick Season, to deafening cheers.
A Day of Standouts
The Great Oak Stage was stacked with standout performances. Gracie Abrams captivated the crowd with Risk, 21, and a surprise debut of Crazy Girl with Aaron Dessner of The National. FINNEAS delivered a powerful set of guitar-led alt-pop, joined by co-writer Ashe.
TikTok breakout Gigi Perez brought raw vocals and gratitude to her set, while Australian singer Hazlett opened the stage with heartfelt folk energy.
Rising Talent Shines
The Rainbow and Bird Cage Stages featured rising stars like Paris Paloma (Labour), Asha Banks, and Sydney Rose, whose gentle vocals closed her tour on a high note. Sebastian Schub reminisced about playing football in Hyde Park as a kid — before playing his third show with Kahan. Newcomers Jo Hill, Kevin Atwater, Lily Fitts, and Maya Lane brought intimate, emotional performances to the day’s earlier slots.
Two days later, Tanner Adell lit up the Rainbow Stage during Sabrina Carpenter’s BST Hyde Park show, blending Nashville storytelling with pop-star swagger. Her bold performance of tracks including Going Blonde, Snake Skin and Buckle Bunny proved that country music isn’t just having a resurgence — it’s breaking boundaries, winning over fans far beyond its traditional base. Whether in a folk-heavy line-up or alongside glittering pop icons, country is proving it belongs everywhere.
A Genre Comes of Age
BST Hyde Park proved that country, folk, and indie singer-songwriters aren’t just festival filler — they’re leading the charge. With Zach and Kahan at the helm and a wave of rising talent at their sides, Country had its moment. And it stole the show.
The Takeaway: Country Music is Not Coming—It’s Here
This year’s BST Hyde Park proved a seismic truth: country music is no longer confined to Nashville. It thrives in the global imagination—in the hearts of UK fans singing “Revival” under London fireworks, in the boots of an Idaho girl on her first international stage, in the tears of a Canadian songwriter singing about open roads and broken hearts.
What was once considered niche is now mainstream. And it’s being fuelled by truth, emotion, and community—the very things country music has always stood for.
As Zach Bryan said it best, Fender Telecaster slung around his neck:
“Isn’t country music the most beautiful thing in the world?”
Yes, Zach. Yes, it is.
Country music is evolving, and the UK is not just listening—it’s singing along. If BST Hyde Park 2025 is any indication, the genre has found a permanent second home across the pond.
For more artist interviews, exclusive photos and behind-the-scenes access from BST Hyde Park, stay tuned at CountryMusic.co.uk.
Featured image credit: @ishashahphotography
