Hyde Park - The Who, Paul Weller, Johnny Marr, Kaiser Chiefs, Gaz Coombes
/In the blazing sun this all day event in the prestigious Hyde Park, gracing the Oak stage for this all day event were Gaz Coombes, The Kaiser Chiefs, Johnny Marr, Paul Weller and The Who.
Gaz Coombes, perhaps best known as the frontman of Supergrass, the singer / songwriter embarked on solo shows around 2011. Since then he has released solo albums Here comes The Bombs and most recently Matador in January this year.
Well suited to the line-up his music boasts a 60's psychedelic edge with a modern twist. This summery sentimental and experimental set was a perfect fit to kick off the day.
An exuberant and imaginative Gaz Coombes has expanded sonically since being one of Britpop's integral statesmen is no longer seen as just a fun character but now a quirky side-burned musician who has matured with his music.
Kaiser Chiefs were next up and off the back of their 2014 album Education, Education, Education, And War played a widely tipped return to form.
Singer Ricky Wilson really engaged the crowd, pogo-ing throughout the whole set in his smiley face tee and sunglasses.
First song up Every Day I love You Less And Less was followed by an energetic Ruby and I Predict A Riot was pogotastic, even got the older contingency patiently awaiting The Who moving, with their infectious energy.
Oh My God kicked in and we were reminded of just how many familiar songs they have as they churned out the hits. We Are The Angry Mob with obligatory hand claps galore and the quintessentially British post-punk Never Miss A Beat had singer Ricky Wilson showing no let-up in his enthusiasm, swinging the mic and cheekily playing up to the camera.
Kaiser Chiefs are currently working on their 6th studio album and today demonstrated they are not finished with us yet.
The legendary guitarist and songwriter Johnny Marr has his fingers in many pies, performing at Hyde Park an his solo guise the ex Smiths, Electronic, The The, Modest Mouse and prolific session musician has just released his second solo album Playland.
Having already won the NME's god-like genius award Johnny Marr continues to push boundaries in his ever evolving music career.
With the jangly guitar playing synonymous with the familiar Smiths sound and so influencial to the whole Manchaster sound of the 80's / 90's Johnny Marr delivered hit after hit. He dedicated songs "to everyone here and no-one ****ing else".
Covering The Clash's I Fought The Law singalongs ensued then with the Electronic classic Getting Away With It and closing with How Soon Is Now? Johnny put on a great showcase of his work.
Paul Weller - The great UK singer, lyricist, guitarist and iconic Modfather's lifelong relationship with The Who continues well into his solo work. Rooted in British culture 70's 80's The Jam's principle Mod figure has matured through his long career towards a more soulful and melodic sound from the suburbs. In turn himself a massive influence on Britpop, Paul Weller wowed the crowd with the classics Wild Wood and especially going down well from 1995's Stanley Road, Changing Man and the beautiful You Do Something To Me.
The Who
Still celebrating over 50 years, despite the bickering they still pull massive crowds of adoring fans. Once pioneers they now seem quite tame, not too surprising when you've been playing for over half a century. With so many classics like My Generation and Baba O'Reilly they put on a craclking show. Roger Daltrey's strained gravelly and screamy vocals accented the large psychadelic and rounded out big sound. This still great live band's dramatically narrative style has cemented them as the legends of rock that they clearly still are.
