Bon Jovi to headline new AEG Live event in Hyde Park

Bon Jovi have now been revealed as the first headlining act for AEG Live's new flagship event in Hyde Park.

The American rockers will headline the first night of the second weekend of AEG Live's new event the Barclaycard British Summer Time which takes place at Hyde Park in London over 10 days from Friday 28th June until Sunday 7th July 2013.

British Summer Time is the first big event in Hyde Park since AEG Live won the tender to host concerts there, replacing Live Nation. The event includes a village green with a pub and farmers' market. Plus real lavatories, an outdoor pool bar, bistros, restaurants and cocktail bars.

There will be two ticketed weekends of gigs each over three days. The site will be open to the public midweek and host events such as theatre and outdoor cinema. From Monday to Thursday, the entire Barclaycard British Summer Time site, saved for the main stage, will give visitors the chance to get involved with smaller, more intimate events offering film, music, literature, sport and a specific family day that will expand the Barclaycard British Summer Time experience to genuinely appeal to the whole family.

Across Hyde Park, there will be four themed zones each with its own specially designed installations and entertainment, high quality restaurants, bespoke salons, pubs, cocktail bars, cafes, bistros and independent food stalls. AEG is also committed to working with the natural surroundings of Hyde Park to ensure an environmentally-friendly footprint and has commissioned an internationally respected team of ecologists to advise on the planning and construction of Barclaycard British Summer Time.

Jim King, AEG Live's event director for British Summer Time, Said "After a great deal of planning and hard work, we are so proud to announce what will no doubt be an incredible event for London. Barclaycard British Summer Time takes everything we have learned indoors at our other venues - in creating the amazing experiences at The O2 - and shares it within the world’s greatest outdoor venue, Hyde Park. We literally started with a blank canvas and in Barclaycard British Summer Time, we have created what we believe to be the ultimate in Summer events - fantastic music, great food, drinks, farmers markets, theatre, film - and much more incredible entertainment across a full 10 days. The list is endless!"

He is also quoted in The London Evening Standard (here) as saying, "We are so proud to announce this. Bon Jovi epitomise the ambition of our vision, a huge global name who have proved themselves in Hyde Park before.

"This is about raising the game. We take the customer experience we provide at venues like The O2 and recreate that for the best outdoor venue in the world. Our zones will be built like film sets, with quality food and drink, incredible entertainment, theatres, farmers' markets and great products.

"This is for everyone. It is not about picking an iconic site and just packing people in to watch some bands."

AEG was awarded the 5 year contract to create this event in Hyde Park towards the end of last year. Earlier this week, it was announced that Barclaycard, the leading global payment business, has signed a full 5-year exclusive partnership with AEG and The Royal Parks to be the headline sponsor for Barclaycard British Summer Time from 2013.

To try to reduce noise, which has led to complaints from residents and previous Hyde Park promoter Live Nation moving to Olympic Park, the main stage has been turned to face slightly farther away from Park Lane, and according to reports will be tree lined.

Ticket prices have not yet been announced. Tickets go on sale from 1st February eFestivals will have more details here, once we have them.

Latest Updates