Neil Young surprises Hyde Park

What a day. After spending several hours out in the blissful sunshine, dark clouds started brewing and the skies briefly opened, but it never stopped the crowd from wanting more. Oh, and Paul McCartney popped by for a little sing song with Neil Young... Here's what else went on in the build up to that.

By the time The Pretenders were on the main stage Hyde Park had started to fill out. Switching between old and new, the band saved the best until last with a run in of Brass In Pocket and I'll Stand By You.

Following Chrissie Hynde (left) and her gang was Steven Gene Wold, otherwise known as Seasick Steve (below). Getting the whole audience on their feet and into the groove with his authentic folk-blues sound, regaling stories of past experiences with added humour. By the time he got around to Started Out With Nothing everyone was smitten.

Shifting our attention to the Pepsi Max Stage, East London's Alberta Cross were showing their hometown what a glorious, warm and fuzzy mix of blues, folk and alternative country they have to offer. Followed by the beautiful bluegrass folk up-and-coming West Londoners Mumford And Sons, somewhere between Laura Marling and Noah And The Whale. While Johnny Flynn (left), brother of Jerome Flynn (remember Robson & Jerome?), showed just how talented he is, switching between ukulele, guitar and violin. Like the traditional English folk of James Yorkston, with added fiddle and brass from his supporting band The Sussex Wit.


By the time Ben Harper & Relentless7 were on the festival was heaving. Who could be a more perfect support for the legendary headliner Neil Young than Fleet Foxes, who already cite him alongside The Beach Boys and The Zombies, all of which can be heard buried amongst their lush harmonies and upbeat indie folk. Their hour long set allowed for a near full rendition of their self titled debut album alongside early releases Mykonos and English House. Joking with the crowd, lead singer Robin Pecknold quipped “my dad took me there [Hard Rock Café] for an Aerosmith cheeseburger.”

In the build up to tonight’s headline act, the crowd were going crazy, for all the fantastic artists over the day, nothing could top the anticipation for Neil Young. Everyone vying for their spot so they could see the legend. And he didn't disappoint, opening with big hitter Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black) before giving crafted renditions of Heart Of Gold, Old Man and the poignant Needle And The Damage Done, followed by tour-de-force Down By The River and 1989 anthem Rockin’ In The Free World.

There was some entertaining banter between songs, once quipping "are there any alcoholics out there", which received a rapturous response the crowd hands aloft before he replied “then this ones for you” launching straight into Spirit Road.

But the best was saved until last, reappearing for the encore Neil Young and his band began playing The Beatles classic A Day In The Life, before quickly being joined by Paul McCartney who joined in on the verse.

This was the first time the two of them had sung on stage together, despite it being featured in Young's set for several years. You could tell they both enjoyed it, the fact that they had massive grins on their faces and hugging each other before Macca bowed to Neil Young. But it still didn't stop the crowd chanting for more.

Will there be any more collaborations on Sunday? Will Bruce Springsteen be joining The Gaslight Anthem or vice-versa, we'll just have to wait and see.