The sun was starting to set as Shania Twain was given a wild welcome to the magnificent setting of the BST Hyde Park festival in front of a sold-out crowd.
“I’m very happy right now, London; thank you for having me back,” beamed Shania Twain, now 58, during her incredible 19-song set. Indeed, the last time the singer played at BST Hyde Park festival was in 2003, so her return to the festival’s stage was long overdue. Without failing to sell out tonight’s date, she kicked off the evening with “Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)” in front of a mixed audience of all ages, a week after performing at the iconic Glastonbury festival.
Dressed in a graphic jacket and matching mini skirt, the Canadian country icon, who started making money singing in bars at the age of 11, eased into the evening with her single “Waking Up Dreaming,” a pop-infused track that got the whole crowd dancing.
“What really matters is to stay positive. The only way is up from here,” she exclaimed, introducing her hit “Up!” in front of larger-than-life screens displaying colorful visuals. The track was then followed by the catchy and popular “I’m Gonna Getcha You Good,” a reminder of the singer’s huge success judging by the fans’ smiles and lyrics belted out from all around the park.
The five-time Grammy Award winner, whose real name is Eilleen Regina Twain, then started a slowed-down, acoustic rendition of the infamous ballad “You’re Still The One I Want” on the guitar, claiming it was her “comfort song.” This prompted a massive singalong from the cowboy-booted audience. The popular track was followed by “Come On Over,” this time also accompanied by the rest of the band and some audience participation during the chorus.
Despite battling a cold, she admitted, there was a sense of female power in the air as Shania Twain sang hit after hit in front of the London crowd. Notably, her set was supported by an entirely female lineup earlier in the day, with Natalia Imbruglia, Anne-Marie, and The Corrs, to name a few. “Giddy Up,” with its catchy melody, got the audience moving and bopping along.
The concert’s energy reached its highest when the first notes of the sarcastic tune “That Don’t Impress Me Much” started, an absolute fan favorite. Shortly after, she introduced her talented guitarist Lindsay Ell onto the center of the stage to perform “Party For Two.”
The rock anthem “Rock This Country” made its way into the set shortly after, followed by “(If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here!” before the show was closed out with a highly anticipated performance of the iconic “Man! I Feel Like A Woman,” which sent the crowd into party mode, bringing the house down.
The crowd-pleasing show felt like a ‘Greatest Hits’ set, reminiscing of the singer’s incredible multi-decade career and leaving us impressed.
Cover photo credit: Dave Hogan
