A SLIGHTLY older lady shuffled past my makeshift camp about 30 metres from the stage shortly after the Beach Boys had packed up.

“Sorry JLS,” she said, I think to herself. “I just can’t be a***d.”

That lady missed a treat. It wasn’t necessary to be a fan of Marvin, Aston, JB or Ortise to enjoy their high-energy show, though most of the park was rammed with dedicated followers.

She could just about be forgiven, though. It had a long and great day. It was hot too – filthy hot.

Following Friday’s raawwk gig with Bon Jovi and the Kaiser Chiefs and Saturday’s marquee Rolling Stones show, yesterday (Sunday, July 7) was the family event.

On the bill with JLS and the Beach Boys were The Saturdays and Got to Dance and for even younger ones the Gruffalo and Horrible Histories.

No stranger to festivals, Hyde Park was appropriately kitted out. The stage was impressive, framed by giant oaks.

Side shows such as a funfair, cookery demonstrations, comedy and more music added to the festival feel.

Taking a cursory look around early in the day, I stumbled across some guys from Britain’s Got Talent – The Loveable Rogues, I believe – singing away in what looked like a summer house.

I tried to watch some of the comedy, but I was held back from entering the little indoor stage by some Heavy for reasons I still don’t quite understand.

 

That wasn’t too funny.

It appears not all ticketholders are equal.

That won’t stop you getting some good grub, though. The arena was lined by an impressive range of themed food and drink stalls, at not too unreasonable prices. The loos were good, too.

Of course, British Summer Time at Hyde Park - sorry Barclays British Summer Time at Hyde Park - was not the main talk of the town yesterday.

There was a little matter of a game of tennis. Luckily, BST thought of this and a large crowd swarmed by a big screen.

Credit to the talent of the Got to Dance dancers who did a sterling job of distracting me during the second set.

The Saturdays came on around 6pm, greeted by a cheering army of little girls. Frankly the girl band could have just stood there and been well received.

Despite the stifling heat and a seriously heavily pregnant Frankie, they put on an active and entertaining show, aided by some clever use of the backing track.

Early tracks like Forever is Over and Ego buzzed, while Depeche Mode cover Just Can’t Get Enough inspired a singalong and their first number one What About Us provided and uplifting finale.

Beach Boy Mike Love acknowledged early in his set that most people probably didn’t come to see them, but that didn’t stop the veterans putting on a show-stealing performance.

Initially it looked as though granddad had somehow staggered on stage at the retirement home

Hawaiian-themed party, but looks can be deceiving and Love soon hit his stride.

If you’re like me, you probably think you know two or three Beach Boys songs.

After a slow start, the show picked up with I Get Around and the hits came flooding back - Little Deuce Coupe, Surfin’ Safari, Good Vibrations, Fun Fun Fun, Wouldn’t it Be Nice, Surfin’ USA, Barbara Ann.

Original members may be absent, but this incarnation can still play. They sounded great with soaring harmonies that would put many vocal groups to shame.

The high point was a touching God Only Knows, dedicated to the late Carl Wilson.

Despite a shaky start and an audience of not natural Beach Boy fans, the band won over with plenty of charm and some pitch perfect tunes.

JLS - who will sign off for good at the end of the year - kick-started their set with pyrotechnics and back-flipping athletics.

Impressively, the showmanship was not to compensate for a lack of vocal ability.
Anyone who saw the band’s debut as X Factor contestants will testify they can sing.

The set started with She Makes Me Wanna before shooting straight into the pumping debut single Beat Again and was quickly followed by popular hits like Eyes Wide Shut and One Shot and a tuneful cover of Maroon 5’s Payphone.

Throughout, the boys engaged cheekily and endearingly with the audience – reading out banners made by fans and teasing out the inevitable moment when Aston was going to take his shirt off.

Predictably every hand in the crowd was lifted skyward for their best known song Everybody in Love.

In an effort to beat the rush, I filtered out during their last scheduled song Hottest Girl in the World but it is safe to assume the discombobulating shriek was Aston finally removing his shirt.

That lady should be kicking herself for missing it now.