Zach Bryan is headlining his first UK festival in London’s Hyde Park next summer!

One of America’s most acclaimed singer-songwriters, #ZachBryan, is coming to American Express presents @BSTHydePark on Saturday 28 June 2025, with a full lineup to be announced

American… pic.twitter.com/FuVxfSj9IH

— BST Hyde Park (@BSTHydePark) October 25, 2024

Bryan is not the only artist to have been announced to take the British Summer Time stage: on Sunday 13^th July 2025, Jeff Lynne’s Elo will be playing the Great Oak Stage. Tickets are already on sale to see the Electric Light Orchestra bid farewell to their home country of England; in fact, the Birmingham-born band has announced their last-ever tour which will culminate in Hyde Park next July, so far, the only European date for the “The Over and Over tour” which will terminate its American leg tomorrow in Phoenix, Arizona. You can read more about that here.

Zach Bryan will be headlining BST Hyde Park as part of his “The Quitting Time Tour”, which will take him around North America for a good few months, but so far, the only European date announced is London’s British Summer Time. It’s unclear whether Bryan will announce more dates across the United Kingdom or Europe, but the success of his latest album “The Great American Bar Scene”, as well as the popularity his songs have been reaching on TikTok would suggest that the “Pink Skies” singer might want to visit more European cities than just London.

But of course, Zach Bryan and Jeff Lynne’s Elo won’t be the only two acts present at the iconic London festival! Ever since its creation in 2013, the British Summer Time has never failed to propose exciting and talented performers, bringing icons of each and every music genre to the London public, that is never disappointed with the final line up. Acts from the Black Sabbath to Taylor Swift, from Andrea Bocelli to Bruce Springsteen have entertained crowds of thousands inside the famous Royal Park in Central London. We are all excitedly waiting for the next announcement!

Tickets for Zach Bryan headlining London’s very own BST will go on sale to the general public on October 30th at 10am GMT, starting from £79.95 for general admission. As always, VIP tickets are offered as part of packages: for example, a “Gold Circle” ticket can be purchased for £149.45, guaranteeing a front view of the main stage, and an “Ultimate VIP Experience” guarantees unbeatable views of the main stage. For more tickets and prices, visit the BST Hyde Park website.

According to the BBC, musicians of all varieties were lining up to audition two days ago (4/3/2024). London’s rich tapestry of cultural diversity is certainly being reflected in the 280 people that auditioned this week in the Busking competition. This reported audition on the 4th March took place at Southwark station and was judged by three expert music industry judges. The other judges (unofficial of course) include the passing public who are intrigued and pulled to the vibrating musical tunes that echo through the underground. Auditioners are judged on their technique, overall performance and unique style. According to the TfL, the ‘shortlisted musicians will perform to a panel of musical experts and TfL operational staff in a busy station environment and judged on technical ability and audience response.’

The busking auditions have been a 20 year tradition and it is particularly exciting this year because it is happening for the first time since 2018, due to the Covid19 pandemic. To name a few auditioners, there is 19 year old Macy O from Shropshire, and Andrew Bruell the garage / R&B saxophone player, and Fabio, also known as the “Pianist Without Borders”. According to the BBC, Fabio is one of the 200 buskers registered for the Busking Scheme. He’s been busking for 20 years and wants to continue to do so forever. He busks 7 days a week and compares playing the piano in the underground to “meditation for 5 hours a day”. His love for busking began through a story that can only be defined as divine intervention. He took the bus in the wrong direction at 1am in Leicester Square, and his attention was gravitated towards buskers playing the drums and he instantly fell in love with it. He has been living like this for 20 years believing that “the more you give, the more you receive.” He compares the competition to “X-factor,” as they play for 4-5 judges, then they send an email saying if they will take you and give provide you with a license. There is a community underground. Fabio mentioned a lady who gives him an “amazing sandwich” daily, and has done so for years. Despite this community, each contestant wants the same thing – the prize. The BBC reports that you “can smell the competition in the air.” The prize is not a record deal, or cash, but it is a license to busk on the London Underground. The successful singers will join 200 buskers on the Tube, London Overground and Elizabeth Line. 

What we can compare to Britain’s Got Talent, is ‘TfL’s Got Talent.’ TfL stands for Transport for London, and they are working with ‘Found in Music’. The auditions are coordinated by ‘Found in Music’, a program supported by the Mayor of London (Sadiq Khan) and they run the Busk in London. According to the Music Programme Director Kate Jones: “Found in Music is delighted to be working with TfL on the audition process for the iconic London Underground Busking Scheme.”

Overall, it is clear that “London’s Calling” (The Clash) from the Underground, where there is over 100,000 hours of music on an annual basis. It is an exciting and unique time in London’s Underground. Emma Strain, the TfL’s Customer Director, said: “As we enter our busking programme’s twentieth year, I can’t wait to hear the songs of a whole new generation of buskers. It is a vibrant part of London culture and we’re proud to celebrate 20 years since we introduced the busking scheme on our network by opening auditions again…”

In the announcement post on Instagram, Skepta expressed gratitude to his fans for their unwavering support and proclaimed his anticipation to reconnect with fans at the Big Smoke Festival in 2024, writing, “It’s been years since I dropped my last album and I want to thank you for all the love during my hiatus. I’ve seen the messages, tweets and Tik Toks, I’m truly grateful that my music is still resonating with the world, even in my absence. I’m happy to announce my next studio album #KnifeAndFork is loading this year, the first single #GasMeUp (Diligent) will be out January 26th Can’t wait to see you all @bigsmokefestival happy 2024″

‘Knife and Fork‘ is set to be Skepta’s sixth solo project, with the first single, ‘Gas Me Up (Diligent),‘ scheduled to drop on January 26. The album signifies Skepta’s long awaited return after a five-year hiatus following the acclaimed ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ LP in 2019.

In the absence of his solo work, Skepta has been active in collaborations, releasing the EP ’48 Hours’ with 19-year-old producer Ryder in November 2023. Ryder’s TikTok remix of Skepta’s ‘Konnichiwa’ track ‘Text Me Back’ achieved viral acclaim with the hashtag #skeptacore, prompting the rapper to make contact. Additionally, Skepta and BBK collaborator Jammer also delved into club culture, founding the house music label Más Tiempo, and acting as producers and DJs for the project. The duo celebrated with a sold-out event at London’s Drumsheds venue late last year.

In November, Skepta revealed plans for the inaugural Big Smoke Festival scheduled for July 6 at Crystal Palace Park in London. The festival promises a full live performance by Skepta, complemented by a Más Tiempo DJ set side-by-side with Jammer. Big Smoke Festival stands as Skepta’s only announced live performance for 2024, and tickets are already available here.

Hailing from North London, Skepta’s influence on the grime scene is unmistakable, evident in both his solo projects and contributions to the musical collective BBK (Boy Better Know). His groundbreaking album ‘Konnichiwa,’ released in 2016, earned him the prestigious Mercury Prize Award, solidifying his place as a heavyweight within the music industry.

With the impending release of ‘Gas Me Up (Diligent)’ this month and the promise of ‘Knife and Fork,’ Skepta’s return is set to make 2024 an exceptional year for grime enthusiasts.

Ashcroft, a two-time Ivor Novello winner, is expected to showcase his extensive body of work, including tracks from his latest album, ‘Acoustic Hymns‘ which reached No.2 in the UK Album Chart in 2022.The former Britpop sensation will not be alone on stage with special guests yet to be announced to join him for the evening. The event is scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm.

In addition to Richard Ashcroft, the 2024 lineup includes pop sensation Mika, set to headline on Tuesday, July 9, and Passenger to perform on Thursday, July 11. Following the success of their 2023 reunion tour, JLS will command the stage on Friday, July 12. The festival also offers ‘An Evening in Conversation with Monty Don’ on Monday, July 8, providing a unique blend of music and dialogue throughout the week.

Further acts for the 2024 edition, including headliners for Wednesday, July 10, and Saturday, July 13, are yet to be revealed.

Kew The Music, celebrated for its picturesque setting at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kew Gardens, has a rich history of hosting renowned artists as part of its Heritage Live concert series. Past performers to have graced the stage include The Human League, Van Morrison, Billy Ocean, and Mary J Blige.

The festival spans a week, featuring diverse picnic concerts designed to cater to a wide spectrum of musical tastes and interests. The festival organisers aim to create an immersive experience for attendees, combining music with the serene and iconic beauty of Kew Gardens. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food and drink to the event, making it a distinctive feature in the British festival calendar.

Alongside Kew The Music, Richard Ashcroft has announced his return to hometown Wigan, with a show scheduled for July 20 at Robin Park. This signifies his first hometown performance in over 25 years in the town where his illustrious career began.

For those eager to partake in the Kew The Music 2024 experience, tickets are currently on sale and are available for purchase here, and additional announcements are anticipated in the months leading up to the event. Stay tuned for further headliner updates on what promises to be a notable highlight in the summer music calendar.