Gwen Stefani at BST Hyde Park overview – Noughties nostalgia dominated at London present

First as a member of No Doubt, after which in a while as a solo artist, Gwen Stefani offered a lot of the soundtrack to the Noughties. As a end result, she holds a particular place in lots of a Millennial coronary heart. Mine included. And so I used to be excited to see the now 53 12 months previous carry out at this 12 months’s British Summer Time in London’s Hyde Park. Taking to the stage as Pink’s important help act, her 70-minute set didn’t disappoint.

Starting with The Great Escape, she gave followers what they wished – the hits. And delivered them in her characteristically quirky type. 

Hey Baby, It’s My Life and Underneath It All adopted, warming up the 65,000-strong crowd. The singer seemed to be genuinely having enjoyable. As a end result, so did we. 

Surprise visitor, rapper Eve, was a spotlight. A sea of smartphones rose in unison to seize the pair’s early 2000s duets Rich Girl and Let Me Blow Your Mind. 

Next up got here Gwen’s new track, the catchy True Babe, together with Wind It Up and What You Waiting For?

The problematic Harajuku ladies that Gwen made a part of her entourage for a lot of her solo profession have lengthy gone, though many songs nonetheless identify verify them.

In their place, had been a military of dancers who labored up a sweat within the London warmth, absorbing the solar first in pink kilts, subsequent monochrome checks and spots, then dressed as large lips.

Singing stay, Gwen’s voice fell flat in locations, though Don’t Speak was pitch good.

“I wrote this while living at my parents’, I never thought anyone would hear it. It seems more relevant than ever now,” she stated of I’m Just A Girl, referencing the ever-present imbalance between the sexes. 

With Hollaback Girl, the feelgood present got here to a detailed.

Our hour or so with Gwen was pure Noughties pop nostalgia – as slick as her pink lipstick – and I beloved each second.