Take That, Sugababes and extra at BST Hyde Park assessment – a enjoyable crammed household day

“You’re willingly taking your three-year-old to a festival?” a pal of mine exclaimed in horror once I instructed her about my plans to take my daughter Molly to look at Take That at American Express presents British Summer Time Hyde Park. Indeed, pricey reader, I did simply that. And it was nice. I’ve been going to festivals for over half my life, so it appeared solely truthful to introduce my mini me to some dwell music. Armed with face paint, a silver bum bag stuffed with snacks and our dancing sneakers, we scorching footed it right down to BST for a poptastic line-up of Will Young, Sugababes, The Script and headliners Take That.

As the final strains of Evergreen, Will Young’s first (and, in my view, finest) single swirled into the air above central London, we made a bee line for the Amex Experience, a double story, brilliant blue house-of-fun, containing a photobooth, video games, alcoholic and virgin slushies, choose and blend and – the most effective bit for any three-year-old with a penchant for plaits – a Hair Bar. 

I watched on as a affected person stylist coaxed my daughter’s hair right into a ponytail, earlier than portray it pink and blue and adorning it in gems. 

The Amex Experience is obtainable for ‘Cardmembers’ and their company, and there are different salon stations dotted concerning the web site that are open to all through the Hair Bar Happy Hour. 

Next, it was time to look at Sugababes, who made me want I hadn’t thrown away my khaki jungle pants within the early 2000s. 

Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan – the band’s authentic line-up – have been pitch excellent, saying on stage an enormous gig at London’s O2 Arena this coming September. Too Lost in You, About You Now and Flowers, masking Sweet Female Attitude, have been my highlights. 

But again to the three-year-old. Having labored up an urge for food sat on my shoulders, it was time for Molly and I to go in the hunt for sustenance. 

The advantage of BST Hyde Park, and one thing usually severely missing at different day festivals, is the quantity of bars and eateries obtainable. Queues are brief as a result of there’s loads of selection. Choosing some Southern fried hen and chips, we sat down on our picnic blanket to eat. 

BYOPB (convey your individual picnic blanket) is frequent at BST Hyde Park, and means you possibly can take a pew whereas the music performs.

We completed our dinner to the sound of The Script, who have been actually superb. Lead singer Danny O’Donoghue – considered one of pop’s actually good guys – appeared genuinely humbled to play to the huge London crowd, and sounded attractive singing If You Could See Me Now, which he devoted to late band member Mark Sheehan, who sadly handed away in April this 12 months. 

Then, lastly, the cherry atop the poptastic BST Hyde Park cake, got here Gary, Mark and Howard. 

Molly, who promptly fell asleep as Take That took to the stage with The Flood, missed the lot. I nevertheless, danced across the pram with wild abandon, dwelling out my youth to Never Forget and Back For Good. Bringing Lulu out for Relight My Fire noticed screams so ferocious they may (in all probability) be heard in Scotland. 

The Take That trio (Robbie, Jason, who?) gave the followers what they wished – the hits. Ending on Rule the World, they introduced their run of nostalgic pop music to an in depth. 

It actually was The Greatest Day. Could It Be Magic? I feel so.