With Sir Paul McCartney and Bananarama, Hard Rock Calling Closes

Stevie Wonder. Pearl Jam. Elvis Costello. Crosby, Stills and Nash. And Sir Paul McCartney. Yes, the annual Hard Rock Calling Festival saw venerated veterans entertaining close to 50,000 fans this past weekend Hyde Park in London, just a stone's throw away from Buckingham Palace. MTV News' Damian Vaca, Matt Elias and myself were lucky enough to take in the series of epic performances that drew the likes of Gwenyth Paltrow, Andy Roddick, Nick and Joe Jonas and Kings of Leon, as spectators. Were we impressed by the extensive line up of music icons? Certainly!
But actually it wasn't until a few hours after festival headliner Sir Paul McCartney hopped off stage and into his maroon robe and waiting caravan of vehicles (with daughter, designer Stella McCartney) that we were treated to a truly unique performance.
Festival VIPs, Hard Rock staff and Damian and I gathered at the Hard Rock Cafe in Mayfair, and just after midnight, '80s English superstars Bananarama took to the stage for a hair raising 30 minutes set. That's right. I said it. Bananarama. Childhood besties Sarah Dalin and Karen Woodward sang quite a few of their hits, including "Cruel Summer" and "Venus." The girls were kind enough to take a lovely pic with us. Do you have one of these? No? I love this job. Shout out to Meredith, Mark, Amanda and Claire for making a dream come to fruition.

Fans’ Ticket Guide: Saturday Hard Rock Calling with Stevie Wonder

With headline acts of Pearl Jam, Stevie Wonder and Sir Paul McCartney, Hard Rock Calling in London’s Hyde Park offers something different to other festivals this summer.

There are still Hard Rock Calling tickets available for each of the three days, and Saturday’s lineup including Stevie Wonder, a rare live appearance from Jamiroquai, James Morrison, Corinne Bailey-Rae and many more.

Hard Rock Calling Tickets are available online on GigSport.com

Stevie Wonder to headline London's Hard Rock Calling.

Stevie Wonder has been confirmed as the final headliner at London's Hard Rock Calling festival.

The soul legend plays the event on Saturday June 26. Jamiroquai, James Morrison and Corinne Bailey Rae have all been confirmed for the same day.

As previously announced Pearl Jam will headline the opening night (June 25) of the Hyde Park event, while Paul McCartney tops the bill on Sunday June 27.

Stevie Wonder To Headline Hard Rock Calling Festival 2010

Stevie Wonder is set to headline this year's Hard Rock Calling festival in London.
The veteran singer will top the bill on the Saturday of the event, which runs from June 25-27 in Hyde Park.
As previously reported on Gigwise, Pearl Jam am will headline the Friday, while Sir Paul McCartney is set to close the festival.
Wonder will be joined on the Saturday by a support bill that includes Jamiroquai, James Morrison and Corinne Bailey Rae.
Hard Rock Calling Tickets are on sale now and available via GigSport.com.

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.