On Saturday, June 12, 65,000 fans gathered at London’s BST Hyde Park to witness a rare and moving three-hour performance from Stevie Wonder, one of the highest-selling and most influential artists of all time. The singer played at the festival’s Great Oak Stage for a headline performance from 19:35 to 22:25. The show marked his first UK appearance since 2019 and served as the final date of his Love, Light and Song Tour.
Support for Wonder’s performance was thoughtfully curated, with standout sets from artists including Thee Sacred Souls, Corinne Bailey Rae, and more throughout the day. The main support came from Ezra Collective, whose infectious Afrobeat-infused jazz brought an atmosphere of joy and celebration to the park. Drummer Femi Koleoso reflected on seeing Wonder perform at Hyde Park in 2019, calling the opportunity to now open for him a “full-circle moment.” Their vibrant, emotionally rich set had the crowd dancing in the sunshine, perfectly setting the stage for Wonder’s headline performance.
The anticipation broke just after 7pm, as Stevie Wonder made his entrance onto the stage. The music legend was guided onto the stage by two of his nine children, Aisha and Kailand, and greeted the crowd with a heartfelt message: “Praise to God for allowing me to be here today.” His opening words set the tone for an evening centred on love, unity, and reverence, reminding the audience that “love is far bigger” than anger or hate.
He opened the set with his 1976 classic ‘Love’s in Need of Love Today’, followed by a surprise cover of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, accompanied by his signature harmonica and a powerful crowd singalong. His vocals – smooth, soulful, and pitch-perfect – proved undiminished since the beginning of his career in 1961.
Throughout the night, Wonder’s charisma was on full display. He lightened the atmosphere with jokes, even attempting a British accent to the crowd’s delight, and shared anecdotes between songs that reinforced the show’s spirit of joy and gratitude.
He was joined on stage by various guests, including his children, members of his backing band, and Corinne Bailey Rae, who performed Sly and the Family Stone’s ‘Everybody is a Star’ alongside Wonder in tribute to the recently deceased frontman Sly Stone.
As the evening drew to a close, Wonder treated the audience to a parade of hits: ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’, ‘Living for the City’, ‘Sir Duke’, ‘Isn’t She Lovely’, and ‘Happy Birthday’. The rousing finale featured a medley of ‘Superstition’, ‘As’, and ‘Another Star’, with the crowd erupting in celebration.
With his family by his side, Stevie Wonder returned to the front of the stage to bow – a fitting end to a night that celebrated not only music, but also connection, legacy, and love.
Due to the last minute withdrawal of Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra due to the frontman’s health issues, Wonder’s performance on Saturday ended up being the closing day for the festival. More on the premature end of this years BST Hyde Park can be read here. In case you missed it, MXDWN’s earlier coverage of the announcement of Stevie Wonder’s headline performance can be read here.
