Garth Brooks played the largest show in the history of British Summer Time Hyde Park on Saturday, a complete sell-out with additional tickets released to meet demand. The country superstar, visibly astonished and delighted, took the stage to a record crowd of tens of thousands.
Record-Breaking Return to London
Brooks last performed in London in 1994 at the peak of his fame, playing one night at Wembley Arena. The dramatic change in scale left him visibly shocked. When he performed Unanswered Prayers solo and the crowd sang the lyrics back to him, he began to cry — not theatrical showbiz tears, but a genuine moment of emotion as his face crumpled like someone truly overcome.
The UK's growing appetite for country music has brought many new fans to the genre, but Brooks' audience skewed older than typical for visiting country stars. His catalogue remains absent from streaming services; his last album was released in an exclusive deal with Bass Pro Shops, the US fishing chain. This meant every person in the crowd had made a deliberate choice to be there.
Vulnerability and Charm
Brooks' vulnerability is a key part of his appeal. The portly, middle-aged singer wore Wranglers so new the label was visible on the big screen, fitting him as cheap jeans always fit portly, middle-aged men. When he opened with Rodeo, a storm-crossed macho number, it contrasted sharply with his gentle, almost effeminate manner — a charm that proved irresistible.
The first hour of the show was perfectly judged, staying within country music boundaries while pushing at the fence line. Highlights included the Tex-Mex lilt of Two Piña Coladas, the weeping pedal steel and fiddles of The Beaches of Cheyenne, and That Summer, which felt like a cousin of Springsteen's Thunder Road. A cover of Night Moves for a front-row fan with a sign was wonderful, though it overestimated British familiarity with Bob Seger.
Setlist Lulls but Fans Satisfied
The set sagged toward the end with too many band introductions and cameos — including a version of Shout performed by Brooks' longtime backing vocalist that few needed. But by then Brooks had done all the heavy lifting, and no one went home wishing they had stayed in to watch the England game instead.
