HARD Rock Calling is days away and we’re praying for the beautiful climes of last year as we prepare to head to Hyde Park for three days of glory from giants Pearl Jam, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney and the like.
Taking place from June 25-27, Hard Rock Calling is generally aimed at the more mature crowd – you probably won’t have to worry about being caught up in crushing mosh-pits or frantic raves.
You probably will, however, see more than one generation jointly nodding along in shared appreciation of the fact that there’s at least something they can agree on – a musical bonding session for parent and child/grown-up offspring.
This year’s highlight has to be Stevie Wonder (pictured), whose Saturday show is expected to be heralded by a mass rendition of Happy Birthday, to mark the singer’s 60th birthday.
This is a rare chance to catch him in full glory, and Wonder’s was naturally the first night to sell out.
Supporting will be Jamiroquai (more recently seen lending his talents to a Japanese noodle advert), James Morrison and Corinne Bailey Rae, while Melissa Etheridge, Alejandro Escovedo, Florence Rawlings, Rox, Rumer, Diane Birch and Maria Mena play the Pepsi Max stage.
Last year we had Seasick Steve’s joyous veranda anecdotes, The Killers’ messianic conversion of Hyde Park, some wholesome stonewashed rock from the Boss, and Neil Young being a bit dull.
To be fair, the last observation was thanks to my own prejudices and Young attracted all sorts of praise at the time.
This year, Friday’s line-up – headlined by Pearl Jam – should have included Wolfmother, who mysteriously cancelled due to illness some time back – a real loss as they were one of the must-see picks of the weekend.
In those years of being part of the pack of grungy teens in DMs and cardigans riddled with holes, I never got to see either Nirvana or Pearl Jam live, so this could be the resolution of some unfulfilled youthful dream.
But now Eddie Vedder’s cut his hair, will he still have his powers?
Supporting the “Jam” are Ben Harper & Relentless 7 (last year’s performance was a little too worthy), The Hives, The Gaslight Anthem and Robert Francis.
No stranger to Hyde Park appearances, McCartney headlines on Sunday. Last year, he helped double the dad-rock factor when he joined Bruce Springsteen on stage for the finale. This year, he’s keeping the spotlight to himself.
Supporting are Crosby, Stills & Nash, Crowded House and Elvis Costello.
Over on the second stage are Joshua Radin, Tiffany Page, Little Steven’s Underground Garage Revue featuring The Breakers, The Cocktail Slippers, and The Len Price 3, hosted by Little Steven Van Zandt.
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