Review: Radio 2 in the Park, Leicester ★★★★★
The BBC delivered its biggest ever event outside of London this weekend.
It fell to Leicester to play host to the inaugural Radio 2 in the Park, a two day festival which delivered some of the most iconic names in British music.
For only £56 a day ticket, fans got to enjoy many 30 minute sets plus a 75min set from the headliners, and with artists such as Busted, James Blunt, Rick Astley and The Pretenders on the bill, that is bloody good value in our opinion.
You could be forgiven for thinking that any event like this, that doesn’t happen in Hyde Park is going to somehow be second rate. But it’s credit to the BBC and organizers based in Leicester, because it felt anything but.
The site set-up was first class. You literally could have been at any other music festival in the country. Everything from the decor to the layout was faultless. I’ve never seen so many food vendors and traders at one festival, and it meant there was no shortage of choice, even though the prices were your typical inflated festival prices.
Everyone at the festival we spoke to was having a blast. It was like a huge party had come to town and everybody felt part of it. Perhaps that’s down to the exceptional organisation and delivery and perhaps its also in part to the strength in Radio 2’s “one family” messaging.
On stage, fans got to see their broadcasting icons in the flesh. Jo Whiley, Zoe Ball, Vernon Kay, Rylan, Scott Mills, Bob Harris, Tony Blackburn, Sara Cox, Dermot O’Leary… the list goes on and on. Perhaps Steve Wright was the only absentee, but hopefully he’ll come along next year.
Backstage, we gained a fascinating insight into the world of Radio 2. OJ Borg hung out with the guests and press in the brilliant backstage bar area (where we also spoke to The Vardy’s, Radio 1’s Calum Leslie, and athlete Roger Black). Nick Knowles chilled out amongst the press, Scott and Rylan hung out together, Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley appeared busy.
As press, it wasn’t quite what we’d anticipated as usually we’d get to sit with presenters and artists. We did have the luxury of standing side of stage for Rick Astley and briefly got to put a question to the big man afterwards. Would we get to meet Kylie? Sadly, no chance. But there’s always another day for that.
We asked fans who their favourite artists had been, and were greeted with a mix mostly of Sam Ryder, Busted, Rick Astley and James Blunt. If we had any level of criticism, it’s that the event didn’t go far enough in representing Radio 2’s bolder, more younger appeal - which it has quickly evolved into in the past 12 months or so.
Wouldn’t it have been nice to see a Becky Hill, Jonas Brothers, or similar on the bill? Radio 2 is a radio station for families, and there were many children here, so perhaps next year there could also be in the introduction of a CBeebies tent or similar. One nine year old boy told us “it’s all for old people!”, which is a shame.
Performance-wise, one artist literally knocked it out the park. We’ve never seen Kylie Minogue deliver a more confident set. Absolutely oozing star appeal, she shone in a set which was specially put together for this event. You won’t see it in Vegas, and you won’t see it when she next tours. Hit after hit, the set more than showcased her incredible career. Who else could shoe-horn The Locomotion between contemporary dance bangers and get away with it?
We should also mention the programming beyond the two days. Following a winning formula already tried and tested by Radio 1, alongside the event came a host of programming from the city. Scott Mills and Jo Whiley did shows from BBC Radio Leicester studios. Jeremy Vine hosted from a pub, and Zoe Ball presented a follow-up show form BBC Leicester too. Vine’s show worked best, being on location, and perhaps next year Radio 2 could look at using other venues rather than the local BBC Studios. For example, imagine Jo Whiley coming from a pub or university with bands performing and an audience?
We hope that Radio 2 in the Park isn’t the only jewel in the station’s output that comes from around the UK. How about a Piano Room tour next, please….?
Watch the full sets on BBC iPlayer.
Discover the Humax A1 4K Android TV Stream Box!
Sponsored: Simplify your entertainment experience with this tiny yet mighty official Android TV 4K streaming box. Discover 400,000+ movies and shows in one place. Ask Google to control your TV with your voice, and cast your photos, videos, and music from devices to your TV easily with Chromecast built-in. Click here to find out more.
icymi…
