Hylands Park, Chelmsford, 12–14 September 2025
Glen Parkes
When a festival arrives in the birthplace of radio, expectations are naturally sky-high. For one weekend in September, Hylands Park in Chelmsford transformed into the beating heart of live music as Radio 2 in the Park 2025 landed in Essex. Tens of thousands of fans packed into the sprawling green expanse, ready to see a stacked line-up of legends, chart stars, and surprise collaborations unfold across three days.
Although I only made it for the Saturday and Sunday sessions, chatter across the site suggested I missed something spectacular on the Friday night – a storming DJ set that had the park buzzing and set the tone for what would follow. By the time I walked through the gates on Saturday morning, the energy was already electric, the festival-goers spilling into the site dressed for sunshine and song.
And what a weekend it was. From Stereophonics’ thunderous opening to Def Leppard’s deafening finale, via Bryan Adams’ triumphant Saturday headline, this was a festival that celebrated everything great about live music. It wasn’t just about nostalgia; it was about connection, shared voices, and the power of performance.
Saturday: Belinda, Jessie J, Ronan, and Bryan Bring the Fire
The Saturday line-up felt like a greatest-hits playlist come to life, mixing seasoned icons with contemporary stars. Early afternoon saw
Jessie J followed with her trademark blend of powerhouse vocals and sheer charisma. Whether it was the playful bounce of “Price Tag” or the drama of “Domino,” Jessie owned the stage, reminding everyone why she remains one of Britain’s most versatile vocalists. Her set balanced high-energy numbers with stripped-back moments, drawing the crowd into her world with effortless charm.
Ronan Keating, long beloved as both Boyzone frontman and solo star, provided one of the weekend’s emotional highlights. Fans swooned to “When You Say Nothing at All” and belted out “Life Is a Rollercoaster,” but the true magic came when Ronan surprised the audience by inviting Bryan Adams on stage. The pair delivered a duet of “The Way You Make Me Feel,” with Ronan introducing Bryan by telling the crowd how much the Canadian rocker had changed his life. It was one of those unrepeatable festival moments that fans will be talking about for years.
As the evening sun began to dip, Belinda Carlisle take the stage, a performer whose catalogue of timeless hits proved irresistible in the sunshine. “We Want The Same Thing” and “Live Your Life (Be Free)” immediately had the crowd bouncing, while the dreamy sway of “Circle in the Sand” and “Summer Rain” proved that Belinda’s voice has lost none of its warmth. By the time she reached “Heaven Is a Place on Earth,” Hylands Park had become one giant singalong.
As the evening sun began to dip, it was time for the man himself: Bryan Adams, Saturday’s headliner. Few artists can combine grit, melody, and pure crowd connection the way Adams can, and from the first chord it was clear this was going to be special. His raspy voice cut through the night air, powering through classics like “Summer of ’69,” “Run to You,” and “Heaven.” The crowd roared each chorus back, tens of thousands of voices united in nostalgia and joy.
Adams balanced the rock anthems with heartfelt ballads, reminding us of his mastery of both tenderness and thunder. The closing stretch – with “Cuts Like a Knife” and the timeless “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” – cemented his set as one of the great Radio 2 in the Park moments. He ended the night on a high, leaving the audience buzzing as fireworks lit up the Chelmsford sky.
Sunday: Sophie Opens, Soul II Soul Grooves, Olly Murs Charms, Def Leppard Conquer
If Saturday was about anthems and nostalgia, Sunday leaned into groove, style, and big rock spectacle.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor opened proceedings, and what an opener she was. The “Kitchen Disco” diva sparkled under the morning sun, her glittering outfit matched only by her infectious energy. Tracks like “Murder on the Dancefloor” and “Take Me Home” got the crowd moving early, while her newer material blended seamlessly with the classics. Sophie has perfected the art of fusing sleek electronic beats with singalong hooks, and Hylands Park lapped it up.
Then came a masterclass in groove from Soul II Soul. Few bands can command a festival crowd like this legendary collective, and they wasted no time in dropping their iconic track “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me).” Their set was a reminder of just how timeless their music is – funky, soulful, and impossible not to dance to. As the beats rolled across the park, strangers linked arms, children danced on shoulders, and the whole site felt like one massive block party.
The soulful power continued with Anastacia, whose unmistakable voice remains a force of nature. Hits like “I’m Outta Love” and “Left Outside Alone” filled the park with raw emotion and high-octane energy. Anastacia strutted the stage like she owned it, belting every note with a conviction that had the crowd spellbound.
Olly Murs, Chelmsford’s own hometown hero, received one of the day’s loudest welcomes. Clearly emotional to be playing such a major event in his home county, Murs threw himself into the performance with typical cheeky energy. “Dance With Me Tonight” had everyone grooving, while “Troublemaker” lit up the park. There was a special warmth to his set – a performer feeding off the love of a crowd that has been with him since the start.
And then, the grand finale: Def Leppard. Anticipation for their set had been building all day, and as the stage lights exploded into life, the roar of the crowd said it all. From the moment they launched into “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop),” it was clear this was going to be one of those historic festival performances.
Joe Elliott’s vocals cut through the night with commanding force, while the twin guitar attack of Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell delivered riff after riff of pure rock glory. Songs like “Foolin’,” “Armageddon It,” and “Animal” had the park in rapture, fists in the air and choruses echoing across Chelmsford.
The emotional core came with “When Love & Hate Collide,” a song that invited the crowd to join in, thousands of voices uniting in one enormous choir. Then came the inevitable – “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” It was the song everyone had been waiting for, the ultimate crowd-pleaser, and it sent Hylands Park into absolute meltdown. Pyrotechnics lit the stage, the crowd jumped as one, and the band delivered with every ounce of energy they had.
As the final notes rang out and the band took their bows, the deafening cheers proved just how much this performance meant. It wasn’t just a headline set – it was a celebration of a band that has spent decades at the top of their game, closing out a festival that felt like a love letter to live music.
Friday’s Highlights (From What I Heard)
Although I wasn’t there on the Friday, it would be wrong not to acknowledge what others described as an unmissable opening. , the DJ set that had everyone buzzing. From all accounts, it was a euphoric mix of classics and modern favourites, with the park turned into an outdoor dancefloor. If the rest of the weekend hadn’t already proved it, that night confirmed Radio 2 in the Park is a festival that knows how to throw a party.
The Atmosphere
What truly set Radio 2 in the Park 2025 apart wasn’t just the names on the line-up, but the atmosphere that coursed through Hylands Park all weekend. The site itself was beautifully organised, with wide-open spaces allowing fans to spread out while still feeling part of the communal experience. Food stalls offered everything from gourmet burgers to vegan treats, while families sprawled on picnic blankets between sets.
The mix of generations was striking – parents bringing children, grandparents swaying beside teenagers, all united by the music. Whether it was Belinda Carlisle triggering memories of the ’80s or Olly Murs delighting younger fans, the festival delivered something for everyone.
BBC’s production values were clear throughout. The sound was crisp, the staging impressive, and the little touches – from interview screens to interactive activities – kept the crowd engaged. There was a sense of pride that Radio 2 had chosen Chelmsford, and the locals responded in kind, embracing the influx of music lovers with warmth.
By the time the last note rang out on Sunday night, there was no doubt that Radio 2 in the Park 2025 had been a triumph. It balanced nostalgia with freshness, spectacle with intimacy, and delivered a weekend that fans will treasure.
From the sparkle of Sophie Ellis-Bextor to the arena-sized roar of Def Leppard, from Bryan Adams’ heartfelt ballads to the timeless groove of Soul II Soul, this was a festival that reminded us all why live music matters.i have t say the weekend went by way to quick there was so much music from my past it made it hard to put it all down i could have down loads more but all i can say is bring on next year Radio Two .
If you weren’t there, you missed something special. If you were, you’ll be talking about it for years to come.
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