Springsteen connects with Hard Rock Calling at it's new home at Olympic Park

Hard Rock Calling 2013

Saturday 29th to Sunday 30th June 2013
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 2ST, England MAP
Saturday £45, and Sunday £62.50

Daily capacity: 40,000

It was going to take something special to re-open the Olympic Park and put the iconic 2012 landmark back into business. There was a slight sense of nostalgia and emptiness as you made your way to the Hard Rock gates passing the Olympic Stadium, but that was all about to end, the park was alive, set alight with people ready to drink, sunbath and dance the weekend away.

Miles Kane took to the stage, with more charisma and stage presence than ever, laughing and joking with the audience this guy was clearly having fun.

The excitement really started to mount when Paul Weller took to the stage, known to take the first 40 minutes as his own. Although Weller’s recent albums are still notable and highly respected, the absence of Wild Wood, and Stanley Road hits, sure did ring disappointment in those who expected to hear hits like 'Broken Stones' and 'You Do Something To Me'. Unfortunately the modfather had other ideas, until he broke from the new and plunged us back to the classics with 'Town Called Malice', 'Changing Man' and 'That's Entertainment' enough to silence any Weller fan. Weller had energised the crowd and paved the way for Kasabian.

Following some rather inconsistent reviews, and giving that not all the crowd had come to see Kasabian they managed to captivate the diversity of Hard Rock Calling, and pulled out all the hits, they undoubtly walked away with a few thousand more itunes downloads after that show! These guys make every song sound like the first time they've played it, which for the frequency of gigs these guys do and their raw demand, is special.

Although Hard Rock couldn't bring The Rolling Stones to London, Sunday saw Hard Rock Rising winners The Carnabys (pictured) sure gave any disappointed Glastonbury punters nothing to be disappointed about. Storming London at the moment the boys pulled out a mindblowing performance of 'Gimme Shelter', along with their new brilliantly written single 'Dusk 'til Dawn'. It was clear the feeling amongst the crowd who gathered to see these boys, was I can say I was there and I've seen The Carnabys. Watch out for Jack Mercer, Ben Gittins, Alex Bloomfield, James Morgan and Mike Delizo, these extremely talented, and utterly professional guys, are the future.

If you weren't one of the lucky ones who got to see Led Zeppelin then I urge You to see The Black Crowes, riddled with band break ups, arguments and issues, its clear there's one thing that brings these guys together, the music. Treating the crowd to 'Jealous Again', and possibly the most moving performance of 'She Talks To Angels' and an absolutely phenomenal ten minute version of 'Hard to Handle' and Deep Purple's 'Hush'. 'Shake Your Money Maker' will and should be one of the most treasured albums on your ipod!

Then there was The Boss, possibly the most intimate show of the summer, you will struggle to find an artist that connects with such a vast audience the way Bruce Springsteen does. Clearly not having much of a set list, and plucking songs from the audience to play, is the work of an absolute master. With a huge proportion of the audience ticking Bruce of the one to see before You die, he certainly delivered, with a huge three hour set there wasn't much Bruce missed off the set list the endless hits seemed to go on all night particular highlights have to go to 'Dancing in The Dark', 'Born in the USA' and 'Born to Run' setting the audience on fire, you were dancing with the person next to you, whether you knew them or not. The stamina and sheer work rate of the 63 year old is truly awe inspiring, with his 83 year old mother joining him in 'My Hometown' it must run in the family.

An absolutely fabulous weekend in London, Hard Rock Calling the gods, of the music industry sure know how to put on a party, there was a huge variety of food on the menu from Thai, to Mexican. With the move from Hyde Park you may expect some stumbling blocks with in the first year but not for these guys, a fantastic well planned and organised festival.

I hope Hard Rock can top that line up next year, its one to beat. The bar has been set, and punters happy for another very successful year for Hard Rock Calling. Bring on 2014!

review by: Laura Bradley

photos by: Kelly Smith