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Springsteen to top the bill at Hard Rock in Hyde Park
Mark Blunden10 Feb 2009
Bruce Springsteen will make his first festival appearance outside the USA at a concert in Hyde Park this summer, it was announced today.
"The Boss" will appear with his E Street Band in front of 45,000 people at Hard Rock Calling 2009.
Also on the bill for the weekend of 27 and 28 June are The Gaslight Anthem and the Dave Matthews Band.
Springsteen has played only two festivals in his career of more than 40 years, both in the USA. The 59-year-old singer will close the festival, sponsored by the Hard Rock Café, on Sunday night.
A festival insider said: "We will also announce a huge headliner in Hyde Park on the Saturday night and the full line-up will be revealed soon."
Hamish Dodds, president of Hard Rock International, said: "We are thrilled to announce Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band as a headliner of Hard Rock Calling.
"He has truly been an ambassador of rock and a great philanthropic partner to Hard Rock International, helping raise more than a million dollars for charities."
Brian Fallon, singer with fellow New Jersey rockers The Gaslight Anthem, said: "Obviously it's been a dream of mine to play with Bruce and the E Street Band.
"It's truly an honour, and on top of that for it to be in London, one of my favourite cities anywhere, it's a dream.
Springsteen is also rumoured to be headlining the Glastonbury festival along with Neil Young the night before he plays in London, although this is unconfirmed by organisers.
The singer and his band played a 12-minute set during half-time at the Superbowl earlier this month.
They also performed at the We Are One concert in Washington, before President Barack Obama's inauguration.
Springsteen's song The Rising was one of the theme songs of the Obama presidential campaign.
Hard Rock Calling is now in its fourth year and has previously featured Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, The Police and The Who.
Hyde Park is close to the site of the first Hard Rock Café in Old Park Lane.
Springsteen and The E Street band return to London after a sell-out European tour last year.
Reader views (1)
The parasites in the ticket touting criminal networks must be rubbing their hands at this one!
- Tangomike, Kensington, London, 10/02/2009 16:33
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