Frontman Eddie Vedder addressed the audience to pay tribute to Hawkins, “There’s another guy who really loved London… we all knew him and loved and respected, and we were enlightened by him. It was one of the brutal losses we’ve had recently. I’m talking about Mr Taylor Hawkins.” During the performance, Vedder also took the time to acknowledge those involved in the struggles currently affecting Ukraine and those fighting against Russia, “I just want to send one out to the good folks fighting for their homeland back in Ukraine.”

The grunge icons first took to London’s Hyde Park on Friday 8th July 2022, when the band embarked on their second night Vedder promised the crowd that they would perform “all the songs we didn’t play last night”. The 57-year-old singer also added, “We are very, very grateful to you – you great bunch of humans. With two years of no shows we’re out of practice, but you’re already better than ever.” Upon striding onto the Great Oak Stage, the group bestowed an incredible 22 song-set to their cheering crowd, fans were treated to such hits as “Black”, “Yellow Ledbetter”, “Rats” and “Animal“.

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Many fans attended both nights of Pearl Jam’s two-day residency at London’s beloved summer event, this was due to both nights having different support acts. Within the band’s second and final night they were supported by British rockers Stereophonics, legendary musician Johnny Marr, Imelda May, Temples, The Last Internationale, La Luz, The Wild Things, JJ Wilde, Tigerclub, Whispering Sons, Petrol Girls, James & The Cold Gun, Peaks and Connor Selby.

Music fans screamed with excitement when Marr joined Pearl Jam on stage during their headlining set, the former The Smiths guitarist performed within an expanded guitar solo within a cover of “Throw Your Hatred Down”. The track first appeared within the Neil Young album Mirror Ball, released in 1995 the LP was the 21st studio album to be released by iconic musician. Famously, Pearl Jam have long been fans of Young and were featured within the album as performers as well as co-writers of selected tracks.

The legend @Johnny_Marr joins @PearlJam on stage at @BSTHydePark pic.twitter.com/NgbbrAoo0x

— BST Hyde Park (@BSTHydePark) July 9, 2022

Marr later returned to the stage during the end of the set, for the set’s final song both acts performed a cover of The Who’s “Barbara O’Reilly”. Before leaving the stage and concluding their two-night residency, Vedder said to the crowd, “Thank you for the last two days. Take care of yourselves, take care of our planet. We love you.”

The shows were announced back in October last year and were supposed to follow a 12-week residency in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. However, the shows were postponed due to delivery delays at the hands of the coronavirus. She later said in an episode of Desert Island Discs to Lauren Laverne; “I was frightened about letting them down and I thought I could pull it together and make it work, and I couldn’t. I stand by that decision. I don’t think any other artist would have done what I did, and I think that is why it was such a massive, massive story.”

Spanning her extensive career and back catalogue of chart-topping hits, Adele played a set which mixed contemporary songs with a bunch of her cherished classics. You can find the full setlist down below:

Set List

“Hello”
“I Drink Wine”
“I’ll Be Waiting”
“Rumour Has It”
“Water Under The Bridge”
“One And Only”
“Skyfall”
“Send My Love (To Your New Lover)”
“Easy On Me”
“All I Ask”
“Make You Feel My Love” (Bob Dylan cover)
“Someone Like You”
“Oh My God”
“Set Fire To The Rain”
“Hold On”
“Rolling In The Deep”
“When We Were Young”
“Love Is A Game”

Check out the footage of Adele’s barnstorming gig in the videos beneath:

Of all who attended the dual sold-out shows, two fans named Dean and Jack shared their story of how they ended up with some of the best seats in the house. Via a tweet, Dean explained that they were approached on entry to the general admission section of the festival by a representative of Adele, asking if she might borrow his pride flag which was bought only hours earlier in celebration of London’s Pride weekend. In lieu of their help, they were awarded the chance to enter the ‘Diamond VIP section’ to see her in action.

Adele was gracious enough to give them a shoutout during the performance when she played “When We Were Young” wearing the rainbow flag. You can see how this life-affirming turn of events unfolded in the thread below:

Last night I was invited by @Adele to sit side of stage for her performance at @BSTHydePark. Here’s how the most random night of my life happened! A thread… pic.twitter.com/NkDjyszpUm

— Dean (@DeanWilliam) July 3, 2022

She asked if she could borrow mine so…OF COURSE I SAID YES! Then we were whisked away into the Diamond VIP section and given a LOT of drinks tokens. This is the woman who approached us and too such good care of us. pic.twitter.com/6GkRhjmN6f — Dean (@DeanWilliam) July 3, 2022

We were stunned. This was a dream! Before long @adele came on stage and blew our socks off! Of course, singing Hello. pic.twitter.com/6PjtYDZBXE

— Dean (@DeanWilliam) July 3, 2022

We were pulled over the barrier, and told by @adele that she wanted to give us the best seats in the house… they certainly were! Here are a few snaps… pic.twitter.com/Q8x4lYwXFn — Dean (@DeanWilliam) July 3, 2022

Then, during When We Were Young, @adele appeared wearing the very flag we bought for eight quid at Holborn station just hours before! I cried. pic.twitter.com/DPuyOFYIIm

— Dean (@DeanWilliam) July 3, 2022

To end the most magical, perfect, mind-blowing pride @adele sung Love Is A Game, looked at us directly in the eyes and blew us a kiss. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ADELE!!!! I’ll never ever forget this night and this pride!!!! pic.twitter.com/GnJlXDKCGG — Dean (@DeanWilliam) July 3, 2022

I’ve just been sent a clip from the moment @Adele called us up. pic.twitter.com/2wAvpArhzX

— Dean (@DeanWilliam) July 3, 2022

AND the most awkward drunk conversation of my life @Adele. pic.twitter.com/5pVSAlj4d5

— Dean (@DeanWilliam) July 3, 2022

This year’s BST Hyde Park gig series is already shaping up to be very exciting, with headline appearances from The Rolling Stones, Adele, Duran Duran, Pearl Jam, Elton John, Eagles and supporting acts such as Robert Plant and Alison Krauss and Rina Sawayama. Pearl Jam also recently announced that beloved guitarist Johnny Marr will be a support act for their Hyde Park performance.

In addition to this, Elton John’s appearance at BST Hyde Park will be a part of his “Yellow Brick Road” tour, which is the legendary singer-songwriter’s final live tour ever.

The impressive line-up and events timetable for this year’s BST Hyde Park is a triumphant return, to say the very least, given that the event was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst last year’s headliners are performing this year, the 2020 line-up, which featured the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Post Malone, unfortunately never came to fruition. You can find out more about the BST Hyde Park gig series here.

The Open House event will feature film screenings throughout both weeks, including showings of beloved musical films such as Mamma Mia and Grease. A full list of film screenings and their times can be viewed down below.

Monday June 27
7PM – Spice World

Tuesday June 28
6PM – Encanto
8:30PM – Mamma Mia

Wednesday June 29
6PM – Moana
8:30PM – Grease

Thursday June 30
6PM – The Lion King (1994)
8:30PM – Back to the Future

Monday July 4
7PM – Soul

Tuesday July 5
5PM – Never Ending Story
7:30PM – The Batman (2022)

Wednesday July 6
5:30PM – Mary Poppins Returns
8PM – Bohemian Rhapsody

Thursday July 7

6PM – The Greatest Showman
8:30PM – Dirty Dancing

First established in 2013, BST Hyde Park is an extremely popular London music event that has featured some of the biggest names in music over the years, including Neil Young, Blur, The Who, Kylie Minogue, Taylor Swift and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. The event has a capacity of around 65,000 attendees.