Lionel Richie: Playing Hyde Park will be like a giant night of karaoke

 
Lionel Richie performs during the Wetten Dass...? Summer Edition on May 23, 2010 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN - MAY 23:
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Michael Howie22 May 2013
The Weekender

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Lionel Richie today said he could not wait to renew his “love affair with London” after being revealed as the final headliner at this summer’s Hyde Park music festival.

The American star will bring the 10-day Barclaycard British Summer Time extravaganza to a close on July 14.

Speaking to the Standard from Los Angeles, 63-year-old Richie said he was thrilled to be playing an extended set to tens of thousands of fans in the park — adding that it will be like “one giant night of karaoke”.

The singer — whose hits include Hello, Say You, Say Me, All Night Long and Dancing On The Ceiling — said: “It’s amazing. When I go on stage everyone says, ‘What songs are you going to sing?’ and the answer is, ‘What songs are YOU going to sing?’

“I walk on stage and start singing and the crowd takes over. To have maybe 60,000 people all singing at once will be incredible. I’ll be like, ‘Do you want to hear me or will I hold the mic and let you sing?’

“I’m so excited. You cannot get more energetic than Hyde Park. I’ve played it three times but never from the standpoint of headlining something like this. It’s a chance to give the catalogue to everyone.”

He added: “There’s a song called All Night Long and I might make that happen.” The award-winning star has been a frequent visitor to London over the years, first as lead singer with The Commodores in the 1970s and most recently at the O2 last October.

He jokingly told of the special welcome he always receives from Londoners: “When I’m approached in the street by people with short pants and cameras I know they’re from Britain.

“When I come to London I think people believe I live there — from the moment I get to Customs and the guy says, ‘Welcome home’ to when I get in the car and the driver says the same. It’s like my home from home.

“London is one of the greatest places in the world. Britain was the first country outside America that took a liking to The Commodores. It has been a love affair that ran from Ronnie Scott’s to you name it.”

Also performing on the night will be Jennifer Lopez and Daft Punk collaborator Nile Rogers who will front his disco group Chic. Tickets go on sale from 9am this Friday.

On July 12 Sir Elton John will be joined by Elvis Costello and Ray Davies — with tickets on sale tomorrow. The Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi are other headline acts at the festival, which runs from July 5-14.

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