Rock and Pop: Preview. Bon Jovi at Hard Rock Calling, Hyde Park, June 24-26
Published: 02 June 2011
by ROISIN GADELRAB
WHEN did Bon Jovi become cool again? There was a time when only the bravest would admit to loving “hair” bands, but then Jon Bon Jovi cut his locks, did a stint on Ally McBeal, appeared in a number of questionable rom-coms and disappeared for a while.
Now, thanks to the likes of club nights Hairbrush Heroes and Ultimate Power for rock ballad lovers, leading metal covers band Metalworks regularly filling up The Monarch and Glee’s revival of some best-forgotten bands, admitting to liking a bit of Livin’ on a Prayer is no longer a shameful prospect.
So anyone off to see Bon Jovi at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park this summer (June 24-26) no longer needs to hide their ticket at the bottom of the cupboard.
This year’s line-up is a bit of a mix.
The Killers take the Friday night headline spot in a repeat of 2009. Although Brandon Flowers has enjoyed a bit of solo success since then, the band have yet to release their fourth album so it remains to be seen how much new material they will have since they last played Hyde Park.
Kaiser Chiefs and James support on the main stage while Kate Moss’s husband-to-be Jamie Hince and The Kills lead the second stage. They won’t be playing alone but the rest of the line-up hasn’t been announced yet.
Saturday is an unlikely combination – expect a fair amount of double denim for Bon Jovi, who are joined by Ray Davies, Black Cards (Fallout Boy Pete Wentz’s electropop side project), and LA’s Vintage Trouble.
Second stage is Irish rockabilly singer Imelda May, ultra-hip singer-songwriter Ryan Bingham, and California Kids Evaline.
Sunday is another odd selection – likely most visitors will stick to the main stage as the second stage could not be anymore middle of the road if it was a set of cats eyes – so that’ll be
Lighthouse Family, Mike and the Mechanics Barenaked Ladies and James Walsh (Starsailor) then.
The main stage is a whole other story and one for a select audience, retro but not in the way you normally imagine – Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Adam Ant – joined by Rumer and Train, eclectic but should guarantee that if one act doesn’t satisfy, there’ll be a very different one waiting to plug the gap.
• For information and tickets visit www.hardrockcalling.co.uk