Paul McCartney to headline Hard Rock Calling 2010

Paul McCartney is to headline this year's Hard Rock Calling in London's Hyde Park.
The gig, on June 27, will be McCartney's first full-length concert in Hyde Park, although he has guested with other artists there before.
Hard Rock Calling takes place on the weekend of June 25-27, with Pearl Jam already announced as headliners for the Friday night (27).
Speaking of his gig, McCartney said: "My last show of 2009 was in London at the O2 Arena and we had a great night, there was a great party atmosphere. I hope that this summer we can have an even bigger party in Hyde Park. I've had a little taste of performing in the park when I guested briefly with Neil Young there last summer and it tasted good. So I'm looking forward to getting there with the band and performing our own show."
The headliners of the Saturday (June 28) of Hard Rock Calling are due to be revealed shortly, along with the support acts for McCartney's night.
The line-up, so far, for Hard Rock Calling is:
Friday (June 25):
Pearl JamThe HivesThe Gaslight AnthemWolfmotherBen Harper & Relentless7
Hard Rock Calling Tickets for the June 27 day of go on sale this Friday (March 5) at 9am (GMT).

Pearl Jam treat fans to covers and rarities set as support act pulls out

Pearl Jam treated fans to a bonus set of covers and rare songs at their Molson Amphitheatre gig in Toronto on Friday (August 21).
The band chose to effectively support themselves after their scheduled opening act, Ted Leo, got delayed at the border. Rather than leave fans waiting, Pearl Jam played a set of covers and jams before their normal headline appearance, reports Chartattack.com.
Despite the venue not being full when they started playing, Eddie Vedder performed solo covers of Neil Young's 'Sugar Mountain' and 'The Needle And The Damage Done', before rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard played a version of Johnny Thunders' 'You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory'.
Lead guitarist Mike McCready also played several of his own songs, before Vedder returned to the stage to play Pearl Jam rarity 'Bee Girl'.
Vedder and McCready later covered The Stooges' 'Raw Power'.
Leo's touring band – who were not held up – also jammed several songs, including a cover of the Ramones' 'Blitzkreig Bop'

Pearl Jam to headline Hard Rock Calling in 2010

Rock band Pearl Jam have been announced as the headline act for 2010's Hard Rock Calling

event in London.

The Seattle group, who came to attention at the peak of grunge, have gone on to establish themselves as a durable act in the Led Zeppelin mould.
Best known for early hits Jeremy and Alive, they have also backed Neil Young on his Mirror Ball album.

They play Hyde Park on 25 June with the rest of the three-day Hard Rock Calling bill to be revealed later.

Pearl Jam Tickets go on sale this Friday from the event's official website.

Jet Has Collapsed On Stage to Nic Cester

I worry about our rock stars, I really do. I’m sure they think they’re keeping it real by appearing on stage when pestilent ill, but all they’re really doing is putting themselves at risk and spreading affection. So even though I feel sorry for him, I also want to accelerator and slap Jet’s Nic Cester for not calling in acrid for work while in London.
The lead singer of Aussie rock band Jet has been taken to hospital after breaking down during a London appearance.
Nic Cester passed out twice during the gig at the Hard Rock Cafe in London on Monday night, joking with the conference that he’d been treated for swine flu, the band’s website says.
Isn’t that just so lovably Australian? Making quips while passing out in front of hundreds/thousands/tens of thousands/just how big is the moderate Hard Rock Cafe anyway? Pure Down Under charm.

Despite efforts to continue the gig, the band had to call an early end to the performance.
Cester was rushed to University College Hospital, where he was delicacy for symptoms of gastroenteritis, acute vomiting and dehydration.

GET WELL SOON, SINGING CESTER!
It should be noted that Clem Bastow, formerly Defamer Australia’s Associate Editor and Melbourne music reviewer, once brilliantly panned the band in their early days and as far as I am aware, she’s not really enjoyed much of their work since. Well, in an upcoming issue of Jmag, she’s giving the new Jet album a rave review. Four stars. FOUR! Can you believe it? I met drummer Chris Cester earlier in the year and he assured me the new album would be awesome, but you’d expect him to say that now, wouldn’t you? But Clem Bastow raving about Jet? I never thought I’d see the day.

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.

45000 crowed rocked by Hard Rock Calling .

45,000 crowd was rocked when Bruce Springsteen and his E-Street Band launched their set with a stonking rendition of the 1969 Clash hit. Stately in beat but unmistakably punk in message and tone, the stage was set for what promised to be one of the Boss’ best performances to date.The Boss was still going strong and showed no signs of stopping with what, to my mind, was his best ever rendition of the iconic Jungleland. He even made light of the fact he tripped up the stairs by demanding that next time he would need an elevator on stage!

The Bruce Springsteen works into the night

The Boss works into the night

And arrive he did, last, but by no means least; The Boss took the Main Stage at Hyde Park Calling 2009. Let me make that London Calling as Bruce Springsteen and his E-Street Band launched their set with a stonking rendition of the 1969 Clash hit. Stately in beat but unmistakably punk in message and tone, this was the perfect opener for the 45,000 strong, mostly local crowd As the opener gave way to rapturous applause and a seamless transition into Badlands, the stage was set for what promised to be one of the Boss’ best performances to date.

Well that just about wraps it up for another year, but wait, there is still another seven days of live music in Hyde Park – from The Serpentine Sessions through to Blur and the highly anticipated Wireless Festival next weekend – go on, you know you want to!