Bedford Park Concerts is an annual event hosted by LPH Concerts & Events. This is an occasion that many Bedford locals and more are equally known to appreciate. With each year that passes Bedford Park welcomes a variety of acts to their stage in the outdoor arena area. This year for 2022, LPH really kicked it up a notch and I mean they REALLY did, as they brought none other than performer, Tom Grennen back to his home town!
Of course Bedford Park Concerts are well known to include not only well established musicians into their line ups, but also newcomers to the industry also. A perfect opportunity to shine! On Saturday 4th June, the line up included returning alternative/rock acts The Scruff and The Wholls, but also up and rising star Eden Hunter and well known pop artist Ella Eyre.
This was the very first time that BPC has ever had a complete sell out with around 15,000 tickets sold! This left a few of the line up acts feeling rather nervous, as they admitted such while performing on the stage during the evening. This was a first for new artist Eden Hunter as she announced that this is the biggest crowd that she had ever performed for. However, she and other acts that were feeling the pressure, showed absolutely no signs of nervousness at all.
Solo artist Eden Hunter had performed a great interactive set which included not only her original music including her newest release "Twenty", but also a few covers such as a brilliant alternative to Natasha Bedingfield's huge 2004 hit "Unwritten". The singer was clearly able to captivate her audience with her music stylings and confident stage presence. Eden was later seen walking around the grounds of the concert after her set, happily meeting fans for selfies and conversations.
After a taking a stroll around the park checking out food vendors (a huge variety for everyone's dietary needs may I add) and merch stands, it was Ella Eyre's time to take to the stage. The starlet was due to perform later in the evening, however due to a clash of bookings, the artist was also due to appear to perform at Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth's 70th Jubilee Concert. So for us at Bedford park it meant that we were lucky enough to see her perform first. Without a shadow of a doubt Ella's energy was infectious as she utilised all areas of the stage while performing her huge hits including her first song of the night "Answerphone" as she entered the stage to an audio recording. She also gave it her all as she continued to perform other hits such as "L.O.V.(e)", "If I Go", her ballad version of "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off" and "I Just Got Paid".
After posing for some photos for photographers (including ours) backstage, it wasn't long before Ella Eyre was getting ready to jump into a helicopter to head over to the palace in London to prepare for her second set of the night. This artist is in high demand indeed.
Of course when talking about the great variety of music, Bedford Park Concerts never fails to provide. We also have to mention there were great performances from alternative rock bands The Scruff and The Wholls. Both have a history of performing on stage at this very event many times before in previous years. However this year was different. This was a much bigger crowd. The Scruff and The Wholls gave us a change of pace from the pop genre we had already heard in the evening. Both bands were welcomed with open arms by ticket holders.
As much as all of the aforementioned acts are loved and their music is greatly enjoyed by all ages. Tonight belonged to one man. Bedford's very own Tom Grennen.
Back in 2021 Tom was interviewed by BBC Three Counties Radio and shared his hopes for the future. "My dream, is to play a big home town show, in Bedford Park. I just want to be on stage in front of loads of Bedfordians, with everybody singing and everybody coming together." Those were the words of the artist himself during this interview, in which his love for home is very clear.
Tom, you did it! You only went and made your own dream a reality!
This is what made Bedford Park Concerts 2022 that little bit more special. Being a part of an event where a hard working perfomer had been able to share such an important moment of his life with us was just phenomenal. The sentimental emotions overwhelmingly filled the entire park leaving smiling faces all around.
Grennen continued to express his gratitude to his fans by dedicating his single "This Is The Place" to Bedford town, before he then went on to express these words - "I Can't believe I've sold out Bedford Park! I used to live down the road. I used to play football here! There's no place I'd rather be than in Bedford Town, where I belong, with my family!".
Tom had such a great rapport with his home town audience as he shared stories about life as a recording artist. One particularly amusing tale was the moment where he was casually sitting on the loo browsing through his Instagram feed when all of a sudden he received a "DM" (direct message) from an Instagrammer with a blue tick. This message was from none other than the world famous Calvin Harris simply expressing "We're going to make a summer banger!" Of course this was relating to the brilliant hit that was "By Your Side". A single that was released in June 2021, also a song that I still hear my 7 year old son belting out the lyrics "when you wake up in the morning" almost every morning. Yea, he's a huge fan! On a more personal note, I would like to thank Tom for taking the time to meet my son backstage at Bedford Park for a photo and a chat. It meant the world to him!
We were able to see Tom perform the majority of his hits, both older and new. All with such passion and pride. In all honesty, I really don't know how LPH Concerts & Events will ever be able to top this night.
I've been very grateful to attend Bedford Park Concerts events for the last few years as a journalist and I've loved every single one. But 2022 has got a special place in many Bedfordian's hearts. Mine included. Bedford Park 2022 will definitely be a very special night to remember. Congratulations to all involved for organising and putting on a very special and sentimental concert.
The Realview Room Team can't wait to see what you have in store for all of your future events!
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