The Who, Paul Weller, Johnny Marr and More, Hyde Park

This year’s Barclaycard British Summer Time weekend gets off to a rocking start by spotlighting one of the nation’s greatest bands – The Who. They will be joined by three of the artists they have inspired, with many more to be announced. Running throughout the whole day in Hyde Park, the concert promises to be a celebratory carnival of bass, drums and guitars
The Who’s discography has pervaded British music and popular culture since the mid-1960s. Initially beloved for a string of raucous singles, after a decade they had consolidated their position as one of the country’s most ambitious bands, with rock operas, films and critically adored albums such as Who’s Next. As their 1970 release Live at Leeds attests, they have always boasted an incendiary stage presence. Although two of the band’s core members, drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle, have passed away, vocalist Roger Daltry and guitarist Pete Townshend continue to play regularly, backed by a sterling band. Daltry may once have sung ‘I hope I die before I get old’, but thank goodness he did not.
In the prime support slot stands Paul Weller, whose punk band The Jam explicitly drew on The Who’s musical style and mod imagery. Since their dissolution in 1982, Weller fronted the soul-inspired Style Council and has racked up an admirable solo career. His most recent records, 2010’s Wake Up the Nation and 2012’s Sonik Kicks, have attracted positive reviews and seen him nominated for the Mercury Prize.
Another legend on the bill is Johnny Marr, the guitarist who shaped the sound of one of The Who’s few rivals for most influential British band of all time - The Smiths. Although now two albums into a popular solo career, expect a slew of classics from his seminal past. The line-up announced so far is completed by the Kaiser Chiefs, whose 00s popularity has resurged following vocalist Ricky Wilson’s appearance on The Voice. For all fans of good old rock music, this looks to be a fine day in the park.