Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park announces American rock titans for the final night of an incredible 2017 series of events.
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers will perform a rare UK gig in the world's greatest outdoor venue, armed with a career of classic hits and a reputation as one of the greatest musicians of the past 40 years. The gig will celebrate the band’s 40th anniversary.
Their only European date of 2017, this will be just the second time Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have come to the UK in 18 years. The band’s last visit in 2012 included a headlining appearance at the Isle Of Wight Festival and two rapturously received sold out shows at the Royal Albert Hall.
Joining him will be Stevie Nicks, forever celebrated as singer and songwriter with Fleetwood Mac and perhaps one the greatest female artists of the rock era - feted by everyone from Courtney Love to Mary J Blige, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift to Beyoncé. Stevie and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers go way back as great friends, tour mates and collaborators, so this will be a reunion to savour.
Also on this incredible bill are American folk-rockers The Lumineers. Their self-titled album was critically praised and its infectious single "Ho Hey," which had long been the centerpiece of the band's live sets, ended up breaking into Top 10 markets internationally, eventually going double platinum. The Lumineers crossed the globe as they toured in support of their debut album, earning a pair of Grammy nominations along the way. In early 2016, they released their long-awaited follow-up album, Cleopatra, with a colossal world tour to match. And now the trio are hitting Hyde Park with one of their biggest UK shows to date!
Forming his first band whilst still a teenager, Tom Petty released his debut album with The Heartbreakers in 1976, only receiving recognition and eventual super-stardom in the US after making a mark touring the UK. They came across the pond in 1977 as a support band and left six weeks later as a headliner in their own right, having appeared on the covers of many of the music periodicals at the time including Melody Maker, NME and Sounds.
The debut record contained the classics American Girl and Breakdown. Petty never looked back. 16 albums later, he boasts global hits such as Free Fallin’, Don’t Come Around Here No More, Refugee, You Got Lucky, You Don’t Know How It Feels, I Won’t Back Down, Listen To Her Heart, The Waiting, Don’t Do Me Like That, Runnin’ Down A Dream, Into The Great Wide Open, Mary Jane’s Last Dance and more. This list is a testament to Petty’s remarkable durability as a songwriter.
Tom Petty was a member of the Travelling Wilburys with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne, has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and earned 18 Grammy nominations. Tom and The Heartbreakers toured the world as Bob Dylan's backing band in 1986 and 1987 and they have influenced countless modern artists - just about anyone to pick up a guitar and sing rock songs.
Last year, Petty reunited with his pre-Heartbreakers band, Mudcrutch, and made a new album. Sean Penn directed a video starring Sir Anthony Hopkins for their single I Forgive It All.
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - The Complete Studio Albums Volumes 1 and 2 were released this year on vinyl to celebrate the band's 40th anniversary.
Among the legends whose ears pricked up when Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers first came on the scene, was Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks.
"In 1976, I'd been in Fleetwood Mac for about a year when I heard Tom Petty's debut," she wrote in Rolling Stone in 2010, "I became such a fan that if I hadn't been in a band myself, I would have joined that one."
The famous voice on timeless Fleetwood Mac songs like Dreams, Rhiannon, Silver Springs, Gypsy, I Don’t Want To Know and Gold Dust Woman, she released her first solo album in 1982. Bella Donna contained a hit duet with Tom Petty ('Stop Draggin' My Heart Around) written by Tom - and The Heartbreakers played on her first 2 solo records. They have since toured together and remain firm friends and fans of each other.
Currently touring the US, Stevie has been rapturously received while playing hits from throughout her career.
Stevie Nicks is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame with Fleetwood Mac and has 8 Grammy nominations as a solo artist as well as influencing generations of stars.
Destiny's Child sampled Edge Of Seventeen on their hit Bootylicious and Beyoncé and co paid tribute by inviting Stevie to perform in the video.
Courtney Love said of her, "She's like your fairy princess godmother, who's gonna save you and lives in a magical kingdom somewhere and has fabulous romances."
And Sheryl Crow compared her impact to, "the feminine version of Mick Jagger."
The two friends will grace the Great Oak Stage adding to line up of the summer, following on from Kings Of Leon, Green Day, Phil Collins and Justin Bieber as the 5th headliners announced for Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park 2017.
Now approaching its fifth year, Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park has been host to some of the biggest and best live acts since its debut in 2013. From The Rolling Stones to Carole King, The Libertines to The Who, Kylie to Stevie Wonder, Black Sabbath to Taylor Swift, music history has been written almost night by night.
Tickets for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers headline show go on general sale on Friday December 16th at 9am.
Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park is an award-winning festival:
'Promoter of the Year' - AEG Live/Goldenvoice at UK Festival Awards 2016
'Headline Performance of the Year' (The Libertines) at the UK Festival Awards 2014
‘Festival of the Year’ at the UK Event Awards 2013
‘Best Use of New Technology’ at the Festival Awards 2013
James King, Senior Vice President, AEG Live comments: “Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park prides itself on delivering something magical and unique every year and Sunday July 9th is truly a ‘one night only’ experience direct from the music gods. Tom Petty’s UK fans will feel blessed to see him and the Heartbreakers in such a rare appearance in this country. Celebrating their 40th anniversary with them is their friend and true icon Stevie Nicks. Music does not get better than this.”
Daniel Mathieson, Head of Experiential Marketing and Partnerships for Barclaycard, said: “It’s great news that Rock ‘n’ Roll legends Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Stevie Nicks will be performing on the final night of Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park 2017. Tickets go on general sale on Friday 16th December but Barclaycard customers can beat the rush with our exclusive pre-sale access from 9am on 13th December.”
Penelope Boyd, Head of Events at The Royal Parks, said: “We are delighted to welcome Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, along with Stevie Nicks to Hyde Park. A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and what a great way to close Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park 2017 for another year! The success of this event is so important to us as it raises vital funds which go back into conserving and enhancing this iconic park for all to enjoy.”
Published on 20 December 2016 by Ben Robinson
