Stevie Wonder, one of the best-selling artists of all time, brought his joyful catalogue of music to BST Hyde Park for the second time on Saturday night. He performed hit songs from a multiple award-winning six-decade career to a 65,000 strong crowd in London’s Hyde Park as part of his Love, Light and Song UK tour.
A highlight was his duet with Corinne Bailey Rae, who joined him on stage to perform Everybody Is A Star in tribute to the late Sly Stone. With over 100 million records sold all over the world, it’s no surprise that Wonder’s appearance sold out. Wonder was immaculately dressed in a white tunic with stitched portraits of John Lennon and Marvin Gaye and kicked off with Love’s In Need of Love Today, attributing the song to the fragility of the world today, followed by an extra special cover of Imagine by John Lennon.
“We’ve been through the hate, [but] love is far bigger. We need — in a time when this planet is too angry — light. So, I want to start off with a song off that you would by now know…” Stevie Wonder
From there, the setlist exploded with pure Stevie magic: Master Blaster (Jammin’), Higher Ground and You Are The Sunshine of My Life were the first half highlights, with a cover singalong thrown into the mix: You Are My Sunshine (Jimmie Davis). “Are we good? Are we all having a good time? You damn well better be.” Joining Wonder on stage this evening was Corinne Bailey Rae. Together, the pair performed Everybody Is A Star.
“Tonight we want to acknowledge the life of Sly and the Family Stone,” Wonder explained. The 75-year-old also brought key musical family members on stage, dedicating a special Happy Birthday to his 13-year-old daughter Zaiah Morris. Wonder’s son Kailand Morris also took the limelight to perform I Can Only Be Me. Against the backdrop of the sunset, Sir Duke, Isn’t She Lovely and I Just Called To Say I Love You rolled the evening into night, with the audience becoming more lively and excited with every moment that passed. Then, with one final burst of energy, Wonder unleashed an incredible finale. Superstition, with its big band production, led the way for Always and Another Star – before the star of the show took his final bow.
Supporting Stevie Wonder was Ezra Collective, the Brit Award and Mercury Prize-winning jazz quintet from London. “We are the Ezra Collective and we are here to play some Afro-beat jazz for every single one of you to dance to.” And dance they did, the crowd went wild from the get-go with tunes such as Shaking Body, Wish I Didn’t Miss You and Femi Kuti Tune emanating across the Royal Park. Appropriately, the set ended with the glorious God Gave Me Feet.
“In 2018 I bought tickets for Stevie Wonder. I was with all my best mates and we danced to Stevie Wonder all night, and it was the best gig I’ve seen — to this day — in my life,” Femi Koleoso shared. “…It would be an honour to contribute to the dancefloor for one of the greatest musicians of all time… And to be doing it in London.” Femi Koleoso
“Turn to the people next to you and say, ‘you make it easy’” – the uplifting energy of Thee Sacred Souls echoed across Hyde Park. The trio – made up of singer Josh Lane, bassist Sal Samano and drummer Alex Garcia – made their London festival debut this afternoon, with Lane even walking into the crowd as he sang. Lucid, Weak For Your Love and There For You all featured, ensuring Hyde Park were primed and ready for the upcoming evening of soul music.
British-Sudanese soul singer-songwriter, Elmiene, has been billed as ‘a rising star in the neo-soul and R&B world’ and has grabbed the attention of judges at the BBC Sounds of 2024 and the Brit Awards Rising Star 2025 category (he was nominated at both). This afternoon, it was clear to see why.
In between sampling some of his own thoughtful tracks (Mama, Crystal Tears, Anyways and Someday), the 24-year-old happily riffed Wonder classics, including Blame It On The Sun. “Thank you very much Hyde Park,” he said, humbly. “I don’t know if you lot know this but this day is a very, very important day in my life. This is a day that I get to support my hero, Stevie Wonder. The greatest to ever do it…”
Opening the Great Oak was a guitar-yielding Corinne Bailey Rae, who has been supporting Wonder on his recent UK tour. A flurry of favourites began the set, including Trouble Sleeping and Closer. New York Transit Queen, she reminded the audience, was written about Audrey Smaltz, a 17-year-old girl who was once the face of Ebony magazine. With a tambourine in hand, Rae delved into her vocals for Put Your Records On, and ended her set with the sweet melody of Like A Star.
BST Hyde Park returned this summer with more superstars and unique shows. It has become THE place to be in the London summer, a date in the diary for hundreds of thousands of fans every year. This June and July saw legendary artists take to the stage over three weekends with headliners Olivia Rodrigo (27 June), Zach Bryan (28 + 29 June) Noah Kahan (4 July), Sabrina Carpenter (5 + 6 July), neil young and the chrome hearts (11 July) and Stevie Wonder (12 July) taking over Hyde Park.
