Because The Night... had a 10.30pm curfew

Sir Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen...moments before the plug was pulled on an epic concert at just 10:40pm (Credit @springsteen).

 

Concert-goers at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park Saturday night got a comprehensive experience of live music British style.

First there was the mud underfoot and the driving rain which arrived around half way through an epic three hour set by Bruce Springsteen. Then there was the stoicism of hardened music fans schooled on many summers of wet weather festivals.

And then there was a Beatle. Sir Paul McCartney, the UK's own most-enduring music legend joined Springsteen for sprawling, high energy renditions of Saw Her Standing There and Twist and Shout.

And then there was the petty bureaucracy. The organisers, no doubt fearing the dangling sword of Westminster Council's licensing department, pulled the plug on Springsteen and McCartney just after 10:40pm, denying them a final song and the opportunity to thank the crowd due to a 10.30pm curfew.

Instead, fans were left with the uncomfortable spectacle of Springsteen and McCartney trying to launch into a final number, unaware nobody could hear them, before the whole thing petered out with a resigned wave and a shrug from a silenced Springsteen.

It wasn't very Hard Rock, but definitely the way we roll. Rules are rules and schedules are there to be adhered to. No matter how many legends you have on stage, the good people of Mayfair and Marylebone need their beauty sleep.

Springsteen's guitarist and Sopranos star Steve van Zandt was unimpressed and took to Twitter in search of answers:

Rather than focussing on what had been an incredible concert, media coverage of the event has since focussed on its abrupt end and questions about London's fitness to host such high profile events.

Others taking to Twitter to vent their frustration included comedian Stephen Merchant and ITV News editor Kier Simmons:

At least there are no other major events in the calendar this summer.

Comments

[Bonsai]

So a few people who couldn't give a rat's arse about ordinary live music in small venues are pissed off because some rock mega stars had to stick to curfew rules like everyone else? Welcome to the real world and thank heavens for equal treatment whether 'Boss', 'Sir' or hapless small time muso on the London live music scene.

The councils have to balance the rights of everybody, residents, business, and music fans when granting rights to use them for commercial use. It's a hard job and hardly ever everybody is happy.

Fact remains it was for the Stage manager to organise the gig in such a fashion that the guys on stage get to say 'goodnight' and for the audience to throw some last underwear on stage. But as Little Steven said, 'we do that all the time in other countries'. They thought they get away with it for being big shots. Tough. Apparently the band came on 30mins late anyway. Ask them for your money back.

Support the London gig scene, which has to comply with curfew rules every night, is hurt by smoking bans and health and safety regulations. Don't come whining because your idea of rock'n'roll is hanging our with your media chums in a public park and dissing the people who work to make it happen.

[Christof]

Agree. The curfew is there for a purpose. The organisers knew the curfew. Only themselves to blame.

[Stuart]

It's a bit more complicated than just the curfew for noise, they close Park Lane (a major road next to the park) for an hour at the end of concerts there.

It's all officially done and notice is given... to change it at the last minute just because the band is running late would cause even more disruption than it already does