Daryl Hall thrilled a sell-out Hyde Park crowd, there to see Billy Joel, producing a real gem of a set.
Backed by a tight band of lead guitar, drums, bass, keys, sax and percussion, Hall took rhythym guitar, and later piano, duties, gliding through an hour of classic Hall and Oates hits interspersed with a sprinkling of solo material.
He hit the ground running with Maneater – the crowd onside immediately. Next, his most successful solo track, Dreamtime, which is his normal show opener.
At 76 he’s looking spritely and sounding great. His Live from Daryl’s House podcast, and now club venue, seems to be keeping him young and fresh. The perfect blend of soul and pop makes Hall a compelling performer.
Fans were treated to classics such as Family Man, Say It Isn’t So and Out of Touch. An appropriate track for him to play in London was Everytime You Go Away, written by Hall in 1980 and covered by his friend Paul Young, reaching #1 in the US and #4 in the UK.
With the band in a laid-back soul groove, the beautiful I’m In A Philly Mood from his excellent 1993 solo album Soul Alone, demonstrated that he is perhaps the strongest rival to Michael McDonald as the world’s most highly regarded blue-eyed soul singer. The Philly reference sums him up completely, as not only was he born and raised in Pennsylvania but he and John Oates met there when they were both at the same university, sharing an apartment before forming the musical partnership which turned into the biggest selling duo of all time, outselling acts like The Carpenters and Simon and Garfunkel. His music is heavily influenced by the soul sound of Philadephia.
Perhaps the track of the set was Sara’s Smile, with Hall moving from guitar to piano, where he would stay for the rest of the set, producing a sublime, silky-smooth, sophisticated sound, book-ended by a gorgeous piano intro and outro.
He closed the set with the crowd singing and dancing to the trio of Hall & Oates classics I Can’t Go For That, Rich Girl and You Make My Dreams .
Hall put the Hyde Park crowd in the perfect mood for Billy Joel. What price at the bookies for a Hall & Oates show at next years BST concert series?
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Building Our Own Nashville 
Daryl Hall is the Father of Rock 🎸 😎 and Soul.
He is a genius at songwriting, entertaining, and a classically trained pianist and singer. He will be remembered for his many contributions to helping up and coming artists with his Daryl’s House program and bringing together many past and present entertainers to share their talent for the musical enjoyment for us all.
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Daryl Hall for me is No1. Loved being at BST Hyde Park to see him Charlie and the band. Will be going to Hammersmith tonight to catch up with Daryl’s band.
But here’s the however I can never understand why on such a big occasion the sound and audio equipment was 2nd rate at best, Natasha Beningfield before him and Daryl constantly looking at side stage technos asking for more sound and balance. So frustrating for the band and lead singers. Billy Joel equipment completely changed for his 2hour fantastic set totally different world from Daryl and Natasha. When Daryl returns with John as headline the crowd will see a totally different show. Looking forward to seeing Daryl tonight with Todd Rundren. Natasha you are beautiful with a beautiful soul keep getting out there. Daryl always No1, Billy wow I’m going to check it out at Madison before July 2024. Take care guys 🇬🇧🇺🇸🎼🎤🎹🎸🎷🎺🎫
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There was nothing wrong with the sound for his or Natasha’s set.
There was a slight malfunction during Natasha’s set which could have happened at anytime and unfortunately, even though he put on a good show, Daryl kept looking at the band for more help during the vocals because he has unfortunately lost the range in his voice.
That is why when he finished and was walking off stage he was gesturing to the band holding his throat.
It could be that he had a sore throat or that , at 76, his voice has gone. Time catches up with most of them.
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