Rock and Pop: Review - Hard Rock Calling Festival
Published: 30 June, 2011
by ROISIN GADELRAB
FIRST, the important bit – no, we did not go to Glastonbury, yes we wanted to go but essentially we’re London creatures, which is why we’re working on project campervan for Glasto in two years’ time – we’re not so good with the camping.
So instead we launched into a huge Hyde Park festival sandwich – Hard Rock Calling last weekend and Wireless yet to come.
To those who say we missed some serious Glasto highlights, I say, Janelle Monae, Pulp, Chase and Status, Chemical Brothers and TV on the Radio are among those coming to Hyde Park this weekend – and we get to go home afterwards.
So back to this weekend, and all shades of uncle dancing for Rod Stewart, dad moves for Bon Jovi and serious adoration for The Killers at Hard Rock Calling’s 40th birthday celebrations.
Friday was James and all the Ks – The Killers, The Kaiser Chiefs and The Kills.
Tim Booth, still skinny, still a maniacal dancer, looked healthy. Sadly, the sound at times was weak. Highlight was Pretty – we’re used to crowds roaring deep choruses but the thousands attempting the high notes became a bizarre but quite sweet choir.
The Kaiser Chiefs followed, bringing out the big tunes, but the bigger draw for us was The Kills, headlining the second tent.
From James’s lighter tones to The Kills’ bass, heavier than Alison Mossheart’s fringe, the contrast was stark and welcome. The Kills brought some current credibility to their set, tainted only by the man blocking the view with his Waitrose baguette protruding from a Fitness First bag – a jolt back to reality and the fact we were not in fact in Glastonbury.
The Killers followed on the main stage. Brandon Flowers and crew played Hyde Park two years ago and haven’t released an album since. Last time was intense, this time the band seemed more relaxed, resulting in a confident and powerful show.
Day two was all about Bon Jovi. Ray Davies warmed up the sunlight hours with Kinks classics, while rockabilly queen Imelda May spellbound the second stage.
Then to Bon Jovi’s THREE-HOUR set. Crafty JBJ played for just over two hours before his faux finale, allowing plenty of time for three encores, all his hits and a sea of fawning fans.
Sunday’s second stage line-up was a bit ropey so a wide berth was kept for Lighthouse Family, Barenaked Ladies and Mike and the Mechanics.
Adam Ant on the main stage was his usual showman self, but lacked impact; Stevie Nicks was all about the heavy guitars but lacked heart and then Rod Stewart took over. Dressed in a gold Butlins-style jacket (soon shed in one of four costume changes) and flanked by sexy blonde saxophonists and singers in 80s red dresses, he was in his element.
More energy than others a quarter of his age, Rod took the crowd with humour and a lack of self-indulgence.
His dance moves betrayed his age but his cheeky demeanour was winning. And then he brought on Ronnie Wood, or rather, forgot to introduce his “old mucker” so started Maggie May from the top to give Wood the entrance he deserved.
Rod’s tunes may be most likely adopted by X-Factor these days and Sailing (the final track of the night, will always sound a bit dirgy) but as they say in Shameless, he knows how to party.