Hard Rock Calling Tickets

Originally called “Hyde Park Calling”, the first festival was held in 2006 and featured mainly-British rock and pop acts, headlined by Roger Waters and The Who. Bands such as Razorlight and The Zutons gained valuable exposure in support slots and the festival was noted for its containability and generous stage time for each act. In subsequent years, the festival has grown in size (the capacity is around 45,000) and acts vary wildly, everyone from Peter Gabriel, Crowded House and Buena Vista Social Club, to Aerosmith, Gareth Gates and The Bangles. In 2008, the name was officially changed to “Hard Rock Calling”, to emphasise the involvement of main sponsors, Hard Rock Cafe (in addition to Live Nation), although the moniker initially caused confusion amongst music fans who assumed the event was to become something similar to the Download Festival.

Still held in Hyde Park, the festival added an extra day (Friday) to its itinerary in 2009, and from 2010 also added a third stage. The genre of music remains heavily geared towards rock, pop and contemporary chart acts such as The Killers, Starsailor, The Magic Numbers and Primal Scream, plus a star-studded mix of 'veteran' headliners like Paul McCartney (2010), Neil Young (2009), Bruce Springsteen (2009) and Stevie Wonder (2010). The 2011 line-up was considered one of the strongest ever, with Kaiser Chiefs, Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart, Adam Ant and Stevie Nicks all taking part. Many acts have also used their lengthy sets at Hard Rock Calling as the basis for releasing live DVDs (Spingsteen, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith). Because the final acts have to finish to a strict 10.30pm curfew, the festival is usually peaceful and family-friendly (although pushchairs and prams are not permitted in the main arena area), and the central location of London's Hyde Park makes it easily accessible for all. Disabled facilities are also onsite, as are several food and drinks concessions.

Hard Rock Calling is usually held in the last weekend in June but, because of the 2012 London Olympics, the 2012 festival will be held on July 13th-15th, with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band set to headline once more.