Hyde Park For A Gig

[LustForLeith]

Alright,

Bit of a niche question but has anyone been to Hyde Park in London for a gig?

Going in the summer to see a K-pop gig (don’t ask!) and was wondering what it’s like if anyone has been. Facilities, general set up, what it’s like. Any advice or tips greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[nonshinyfinish]

I've been to one gig there, although it was in 2015.

I assume it's part of the British Summer Time thing – if so, and assuming it hasn't changed over the years, then it's set up sort of as a micro festival with stuff starting from mid afternoon. The one I was at had about four acts on the main stage plus a couple of small tents with other people playing. From what I remember, the stuff in the tents partly overlapped with the first couple of main stage acts. I think there were other assorted entertainment stalls but we didn't go to any of them. Drinks were about what you'd expect: not a great selection and not a great price, but I don't remember them being unusually overpriced (obviously the baseline 'normal' price for a pint has changed a little since 2015…). Ate before going in so don't know about food.

For the music itself, the sound from the main stage was decent (with the caveat that I mean 'decent' for an outdoor gig). The area directly in front of the stage was fenced off for folk who'd paid silly money, so it wasn't possible to stand near the stage. If you wanted to be up at that fence (the nearest position to the stage with a regular ticket), I assume you'd need to queue up early, run down there and then not move. There is a decent bit of slope in the regular standing area (assuming the stage is in the same place), so you should be able to find a reasonable view further back. In my case, I was taller than 95% of attendees for demographic reasons (it was Taylor Swift), so it's probably the best view I've had at a gig on that scale. There were also a couple of massive screens either side of the stage.

It used to be sponsored by Barclaycard, so there was a much shorter queue available if you could show a Barclaycard. Worth checking if there's anything like that you can take advantage of.

[LustForLeith]

I've been to one gig there, although it was in 2015.

I assume it's part of the British Summer Time thing – if so, and assuming it hasn't changed over the years, then it's set up sort of as a micro festival with stuff starting from mid afternoon. The one I was at had about four acts on the main stage plus a couple of small tents with other people playing. From what I remember, the stuff in the tents partly overlapped with the first couple of main stage acts. I think there were other assorted entertainment stalls but we didn't go to any of them. Drinks were about what you'd expect: not a great selection and not a great price, but I don't remember them being unusually overpriced (obviously the baseline 'normal' price for a pint has changed a little since 2015…). Ate before going in so don't know about food.

For the music itself, the sound from the main stage was decent (with the caveat that I mean 'decent' for an outdoor gig). The area directly in front of the stage was fenced off for folk who'd paid silly money, so it wasn't possible to stand near the stage. If you wanted to be up at that fence (the nearest position to the stage with a regular ticket), I assume you'd need to queue up early, run down there and then not move. There is a decent bit of slope in the regular standing area (assuming the stage is in the same place), so you should be able to find a reasonable view further back. In my case, I was taller than 95% of attendees for demographic reasons (it was Taylor Swift), so it's probably the best view I've had at a gig on that scale. There were also a couple of massive screens either side of the stage.

It used to be sponsored by Barclaycard, so there was a much shorter queue available if you could show a Barclaycard. Worth checking if there's anything like that you can take advantage of.

Excellent! Thanks for this!

That’s really helpful. I’m lucky enough to have been to a few gigs none down there. Quite handy to get the lay of the land if that makes sense.

My feeling was we’d be able to get to the front but didn’t appreciate the VIP section thing!

Thanks!

[nonshinyfinish]

My feeling was we’d be able to get to the front but didn’t appreciate the VIP section thing!

Obviously it's possible that they don't do this every time, or that it's changed since I was there, but it's worth being aware of or maybe trying to find out what will happen at your gig.

[bod]

Was there for Springsteen last year.Paid extra for an upgrade which I would defo do again.
The main upgrade was directly infront of the stage & ours was to the right side of it - I presume there was the same on the left. GA was away far back & when we went for a wander it looked like it was the big screens for the whole gig.
Fire your questions up & I’ll try & answer them what I can mind

[MagicSwirlingShip]

Can’t remember what year it was, but we went to see Aerosmith supported by Audioslave at Hyde park calling. Pissed down the full day & night 😂

[WeeRussell]

Unfortunately had to give up my Stones ticket for Hyde park so cannae tell yi 😫

[LustForLeith]

Was there for Springsteen last year.Paid extra for an upgrade which I would defo do again.
The main upgrade was directly infront of the stage & ours was to the right side of it - I presume there was the same on the left. GA was away far back & when we went for a wander it looked like it was the big screens for the whole gig.
Fire your questions up & I’ll try & answer them what I can mind

Thanks for this

I’m taking my youngest daughter to see a K-pop band called Stray Kids

The GA tickets were obviously the cheapest! Pretty much all the others have now sold out unless we were to pay a fortune!

We’ll be watching it on big screens by the sounds of it but I’m sure she’ll love the experience!

Thanks

[bod]

For what I can mind there wasn’t any seating near the viewing bit, IF you could take in some kind of folding ones it might be more comfortable help you get in front of the screens rather than sit on the grass.
There’s no shelter either so I hope it’s dry for you.barcleycard gave away free water bottles which they might do again but take an empty plastic bottle because there were water taps which will save you buying juice all day

[LustForLeith]

For what I can mind there wasn’t any seating near the viewing bit, IF you could take in some kind of folding ones it might be more comfortable help you get in front of the screens rather than sit on the grass.
There’s no shelter either so I hope it’s dry for you.barcleycard gave away free water bottles which they might do again but take an empty plastic bottle because there were water taps which will save you buying juice all day

Excellent!

I’m hoping it’s going to be dry..!

[LustForLeith]

Hi folks!

Thanks for the tips!

Went to the gig and had a great time, despite Kpop not being my thing!

I’ve got a tip for anyone going in future…

We bought general admission tickets. On the days leading up to it I started getting alerts to say that I could get upgrade tickets for far less than what they were worth. Ended up in a tiered section with cracking views for a I it an extra £70 per ticket. It was actually worth about and extra £280 at least!

If I go again I’d go for general admission tickets and take my chances with getting a cheaper upgrade nearer the time!