US Country Singer/Songwriter Kelly McGrath can now call BST Hyde Park like a second home. Having played the event four times now, it is safe to say, the fans clearly love her. McGrath has supported The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen and today Neil Young.

Whilst it has been a while since we have had new music from McGrath, fans needn’t worry, as she is currently working on a new album which we cannot wait for. McGrath’s oldies are still goodies and we could listen to the EP Kites all day! It is this EP in fact, which begs the question to why McGrath isn’t more widely known and we really hope that she gets more of the recognition that we know she deserves.

We first heard the music of Kelly McGrath here at Hyde Park when she was supporting Eric Clapton in 2018. We have been huge supporters since and it proves how events such as these, are a great way for fans to find new favourites. This is why it is so important to check out supporting acts as you never know whose music you will fall in love with.

Returning to the Birdcage Stage, McGrath always draws in a big crowd at this event and today was no exception. Starting with the song Kites, she got the crowd warmed up in one song and those passing by, whether from the gates or from the VIP section, stopped to watch her set upon hearing her music. The next track was American Dream , a song inspired by a London boy that she fell in love with. This song always gets a great reaction from the crowd. Written In The Stars was next which was followed by a favourite of mine You and Me Today. You and Me Today is a song that is always emotional on stage as is for her Dad whom she lost when she was just 11 years old. For me, this song means so much more now that my father has passed and you could see by the faces in the audience, that there were many people who could relate to the song from losing a loved one. The song, is Kelly’s favourite she has written and it isn’t hard to see why. Beautiful, emotional with such a stunning chorus, it is a song that I feel should have major country radio play.

Continuing on the songs for her dad, she sang If You Could See Me Now. Released back in 2011, you could see that the song still holds an incredibly special place in her heart. She wrote the song on what would have been his 60th Birthday.

With a new album on the horizon, we were the first ears to hear her new song Who’s By My Side? A great song which gives a wonderful insight on what to expect from her album. Closing the set with a cover of Neil Young’s Heart of Gold, she explains how this was her mum’s favourite song, in fact, earlier in the day during our interview, she shared a much more personal story behind playing the song which you will be able to read in the next couple of days. If Kelly McGrath excels in anything, then it is writing personal stories in her music to help heal those who have been through similar experiences. It just so happens she is a fantastic singer and performer too. With her daughter in the audience stealing the show maybe just a little bit, it was heart warming to see the proud daughter smile across her face.

Kelly McGrath is a joy to watch on stage, she will have you crying to her ballads and then she will have you up and dancing to her more rockier, up beat numbers. Her onstage persona is fun and engaging and every time we have seen her, it’s felt like a special intimate show. We would love to catch her on one of her headline shows one day because if this is what she delivers in just 30 minutes, then we think we will be in for one heck of a surprise at a headline show.