Sabrina Carpenter BST Hyde Park

Artist: @sabrinacarpenter

Short n’ Sweeter
but nevertheless, powerful

By now, you probably know the formula: an impeccably choreographed pop performance, thousands of fans singing every word, and a star radiating at full brilliance. But night one of Sabrina Carpenter’s BST Hyde Park run was more than just a show — it was a statement. For her biggest headline show yet, Sabrina transformed London’s beloved park into a sprawling, immersive open-air arena experience. And with it came all the spectacle and layered exclusivity of a stadium show — just under the summer sky.

The day began with 65,000 fans pouring into West London, merging seamlessly with the thousands already gathered for London Pride. The two crowds blended almost indistinguishably, except for the flashes of baby blue and branded tees that marked the Carpenter fans. Approaching the gates as Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!” blasted from a nearby parade float created a euphoric sense of unity — as if the entire city had come together as one joyful mass of sequins and anticipation to celebrate all things bold, glittery, and unapologetically fun.

For those expecting the usual free-roaming, open-field Glastonbury-like music festival experience, the BST setup might have caught them off guard. But that’s not really the spirit of the typical large-scale central London production anyway.

Its tiered ticketing created distinct layers of fans — with a lucky few in the Gold Circle up close, while the majority stretched so far back that even zooming in on the smartest of phones couldn’t capture Sabrina clearly. Still, BST was well prepared: surround screens and powerful sound ensured the General Admission crowd could stay connected. When Sabrina floated over the audience on a camera platform near the end of her set, it wasn’t just a spectacle — it was a lifeline. If she hadn’t taken to the skies, many fans would have left without ever seeing her clearly.

The show kicked off with a wink: a grainy, 1950s-style broadcast of Sabrina declaring “Cheerio, London!” before launching into the sharp, sassy chaos of “Busy Woman”. She hit the stage in a bright red sequinned bodysuit, flanked by dancers and her now signature retro nightclub-inspired stage set. A small stumble during the opener was met with a seamless recovery, she struck a casual pose on the riser like it was part of the choreography all along. Later in the set, she settled into a stripped-back rendition of the ballad “Sharpest Tool,” before slipping into a dazzling Versace little black dress to light up the charming couples dance competition segment.

Sabrina was radiant, warm, and effortlessly captivating as she engaged with the London crowd, marveling, “There are so many of you here!”. She sparked memorable moments, like joining a fan’s video call to New York and teasing their choice of phone with a playful, “It’s a Samsung! Love it?”. The audience also adored the cheeky “arrest for being too hot” moment, delighting in Sabrina’s fondness for how British people pronounce “south” with more of an ‘f’ sound instead of the usual ‘th’. But the undeniable highlight came when she made her way along the barriers before stepping onto a camera platform, from which she floated above 65,000 fans reaching into the General Admission area. Singing “Don’t Smile” from this elevated position, Sabrina connected with fans in the back giving them a much-needed, more intimate experience.

The set was noticeably more restrained than on her previous tour, with Sabrina taking extra care to balance her dual audiences. Her signature Juno pose was dialed back; last night she simply chose to fire off two love cannons at once, while moments like the Bed Chem intro and the Pony mash-up maintained her trademark subtle innuendos. She expertly navigated the tricky line between dating-age Gen Z fans and Disney-raised kids. Sabrina kept the show just PG enough for families to sing along, even as an eight-year-old on their dad’s shoulders shouted “I won’t give a fuck about you” during ‘Good Graces’. The mother’s initial frown gave way to a smile as she joined in the chorus, perfectly illustrating the unique atmosphere Sabrina creates.

The only real missteps? A 15-minute delay, a tightly polished set that lasted just 1 hour and 15 minutes, and no surprise guests — despite weeks of speculation. After Olivia Rodrigo brought out Ed Sheeran the weekend before and Noah Kahan was joined by Lewis Capaldi on Friday, such surprises were an expected element of BST. However, Sabrina held the performance solo, making it clear that this stage was meant for one star alone, choosing to keep the entire spotlight on herself and her audience.

After the set, fans we spoke to were thrilled with the performance, especially loving Sabrina’s ascent above the crowd and felt they got exactly what they paid for. A few lucky ones even caught sight of the crew dismantling the elevated platform and had the chance to touch Sabrina’s sequined safety harness — giving them tangible closeness to their icon, much to their delight and with excited squeals.

Short, sweet, and hitting all the right notes. Sabrina closed the night by downing a martini to the crowd’s cheers before launching into her megahit “Espresso”, igniting Hyde Park into a final, euphoric dance and singalong.