Some gigs you plan months in advance. Others, you just have to manifest. After missing out on presale tickets for Noah Kahan, fate – in the form of Moshville Times – stepped in and handed me the chance to experience BST Hyde Park. I went in expecting a memorable evening. I left having had an entire day of music worth writing home about.
A festival within a park
BST isn’t just a concert – it’s a full festival experience. Multiple stages, food stalls, sprawling green spaces, and an easy summer vibe mean you have to be strategic if you want to catch as many acts as possible. I plotted my route carefully, starting at the Bird Cage stage.
Gentle beginnings – Maya Lane
First on my list was Maya Lane, a fresh new artist whose take on country music was lighter, breezier, and more easy-going than the arena-filling heartbreak anthems dominating the charts. Her set felt thoughtful yet uplifting – the perfect way to ease into the day.
Hazlett – intimate voice, big space
Next came Hazlett, an artist I’d been listening to without realising he’d be on the bill. His songs had a soft, breathy intimacy that felt slightly lost in the vast open-air setting of Hyde Park. The kind of performance you instinctively lean into, as if closing the distance might help you catch the details. I suspect his style would truly shine in a smaller, indoor venue where his subtleties could breathe.
TikTok-tested, stage-approved – Gigi Perez
Scepticism often creeps in when artists rise via TikTok, but Gigi Perez blew that away instantly. Confident, commanding, and vocally powerful, she delivered a set that was consistently engaging, with each song matching or bettering the last.
One noticeable difference, as someone more used to indoor shows, was the relaxed crowd noise between sets. Without the wall-to-wall roar, the afternoon felt more like a sunny park hangout – albeit one with a seriously good soundtrack.
A surprise collaboration – FINNEAS & Ashe
Both FINNEAS and Ashe delivered polished sets, but the real curveball was the announcement of The Favors, a joint project formed by the two. It added an extra layer of novelty to an already strong section of the day.
Paris Paloma – magic with a message
I’m a self-confessed Paris Paloma devotee, and this was my third time seeing her live. It was also by far the largest crowd I’ve seen her play to – and she owned it. Paloma’s music blends whimsical, almost fairy-tale melodies with sharp, politically and socially conscious lyrics. Whether rallying the audience to shout about toxic masculinity and sexism or captivating them with her ethereal delivery, she’s a performer who makes every word matter.
Despite having seen the same setlist recently, the performance felt just as urgent and magical. Long-time fans and first-timers alike couldn’t help but sing along.
Gracie Abrams – steady warm-up
Gracie Abrams brought a gentler, pop-infused energy to the main stage. While her presence could have been more commanding, her set worked well as a lead-in to the headliner, easing the audience into the evening.
Noah Kahan – heartfelt, humble, and full of surprises
When Noah Kahan took to the stage, any trace of nerves only added to his authenticity. There’s a genuine charm to the way he performs – you can see how much the songs mean to him. While the set still leaned heavily on Stick Season, the inclusion of “Young Blood” was a nod to long-time fans. Personally, I’d love to see him mix in more from his Busyhead days.
The night’s biggest moment came when Noah teased the audience about his next guest. The eruption when Lewis Capaldi appeared was deafening. Capaldi’s voice soared, especially on Hozier’s yell in “Northern Attitude,” and the pair’s matching football shirts added a playful touch (though some light-hearted booing hinted at local football loyalties).
From the unplanned to the unforgettable, this wasn’t just a Noah Kahan gig – it was a perfectly organised day of discovery, connection, and summer magic in the heart of London.
