Music legend Stevie Wonder might be one of the most iconic global names in music, but at five in the evening on the 12th of July, the announcement of the cancellation of the last day of BST Hyde Park on following Sunday meant that the icon was tasked with closing the entire 2025 season.
There was never any need to worry that Saturday would succeed in being a euphoric festival closer. Fantastic artists such as John Poppii, Mica Milla, Durand Bernar, TAMZENE and Hajaj kept the whole park in a soulful, upbeat party mood, whilst the fantastic Corinne Bailey Rae, Thee Sacred Souls, Elmiene and Ezra Collective brought the most joyful tunes to the main stage.
Ezra Collective were the perfect last supporting act before Wonder took to the stage. The Brit Award winning quintet rolled out a ream of dance-worthy tunes, from “Shaking Boy’ to ‘Femi Kuti Tune”. By the time seven-thirty rolled around, the crowd were on their feet as the 25-time Grammy winner finally appeared in a white tunic embellished with an image of John Lennon on one side, and Marvin Gaye on the other.
Her performed some of his greatest hits, from “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” to the iconic “Superstition”. As part of the Love, Light and Song UK tour, he spoke directly to the theme of his show.
“We’ve been through the hate,” he said, “[but] love is far bigger…”
A beautiful rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” complete with a signature interlude on the harmonica, brought tears to the eyes of many in the crowd. Stevie Wonder is an artist whose great legacy is undeniable; many people around the world have probably heard at least one of his songs even if they don’t realise it, and his true reverence of music and the many other artists in the space is beautiful to witness.
At 75 years of age, he still commands the stage like a king, with the tens of thousands in attendance clinging onto his every word, and his vocals sounded crisp and clear far across the park. Many knew every single lyric, and it was joyful to see so many dancing as the London heatwave finally began to cool down in the evening light.
“Every single person who is blind should be able to see in their own way,” he said, at the beginning of his set, celebrating inclusivity and championing the technology that was making art and music more accessible for people in this modern age. Yet despite how much the world has changed since he first released “I Call It Pretty Music But The Old People Call It The Blues” in 1962, his music still endures, his hits still undeniably timeless, and by the time he finally brought the show to a close with ‘Another Star’ the park was truly in peak party fever.
As one of the greatest singer-songwriters and performers of his age, Stevie Wonder brought the love, brought the light, and with his spectacular songs, brought another edition of BST Hyde Park to a spectacular close.
BST Hyde Park will return in 2026.
