Stevie Wonder at BST Hyde Park
A sun-drenched Hyde Park welcomes one of the all-time greats, Stevie Wonder, for the close of this year’s BST Festival. The words icon and legend are certainly overused these days, but tonight we are truly in the presence of one. You could add genius to the list too – Wonder was just 13 when he had his first number one. He hasn’t slowed since, going on to release 23 studio albums and win 25 Grammys, along with a host of other accolades.
The artist’s extensive catalogue draws on jazz, soul, funk and R&B. This evening we are treated to all the classics and more, with a carefully curated setlist that showcases the star’s impressive canon. Long-term fans and newcomers alike are well catered for, and it’s heartening to see such a range of ages gather for what is sure to be a memorable evening.
We are immediately transported back to 1976 with Love’s in Need of Love Today. The smooth number has the vast crowd swaying along and makes for an optimistic opener, setting the tone for what’s to come. The contemplative mood continues with a cover of John Lennon’s Imagine. Then the funk kicks in with Master Blaster (Jammin’), prompting the crowd to belt out the chorus. The momentum continues with Higher Ground.
You Are My Sunshine – a Jimmie Davis cover – shows Wonder’s effortless ability to switch genres. His own You Are the Sunshine of My Life complements it perfectly with its feel-good energy. This is a meticulously thought-out setlist, flowing with cohesion while also reminding us just how many classics Wonder has delivered.
Corinne Bailey Rae joins our headliner on stage for Everybody Is a Star – a cover of the famous Sly & the Family Stone number – and their voices are beautifully paired. Things then amp up again for crowd-pleaser Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours), a surefire highlight of the show. Classics I Just Called to Say I Love You and Isn’t She Lovely are joyous to experience live. Wonder’s voice is still phenomenal, and he knows how to command a stage. Close to two and a half hours after starting, the artist is still in his element. Superstition was always going to go down well and doesn’t disappoint. As and Another Star fittingly close the night.
Wonder addresses us throughout the evening with reflections but also finds time for jokes. His energy is consistently matched by the crowd, with the atmosphere shifting seamlessly from relaxed to high-octane. Ultimately, there’s a shared sense that we’re witnessing something truly special: a celebration of a true great, of music, and of the power it can bring.
Jonathan Marshall
Photos: Bethan Miller
For further information and future events visit Stevie Wonder’s website here.
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