To sell out two nights at the 65,000 capacity Hyde Park would be an impressive feat for any star, but it’s particularly impressive for Sabrina Carpenter, an artist who just two years ago was playing the same stage in a supporting slot for K-Pop group BLACKPINK. Fast forward to 2025, and Carpenter is now a bonafide pop powerhouse. Alexa, play ‘Night Changes’ by One Direction.
Part of her Short n’ Sweet tour, which already made a splash in the UK earlier this year, these Hyde Park shows feel like a victory lap. Despite arriving on stage fashionably late by 15 minutes, the crowd’s enthusiasm didn’t waver, and the playful on screen visuals showing Carpenter as an anchorwoman set the tone for what was to come: a show packed with humour and tongue-in-cheek sharpness.
Of course, the hit singles like ‘Taste’, ‘Nonsense’, and latest effort ‘Manchild’ all go down a storm, but where Carpenter really shines is on her deeper cuts. A stripped back version of ‘Sharpest Tool’, the slow sultry groove of ‘Bed Chem’, and the confessional ‘because I liked a boy’ were all some of the show’s biggest highlights, and Carpenter also showcased her impressive vocals on ballad ‘Couldn’t Make It Any Harder’. Whilst there were no surprise guests (though we did hear that fans on Sunday were treated to an appearance from Duran Duran), a cover of ‘It’s Raining Men’ feels surprisingly on brand – it’s the original song for horny women after all. The Weather Girls walked so Carpenter could strut.
Of course, ‘Espresso’, the song that conquered the globe, was saved for last in a literally explosive finale as fireworks lit up Hyde Park. The show was pure pop perfection, and captured everything that makes Sabrina Carpenter tick: wit, sex appeal, and impeccable hooks. It feels like stadium shows, and potentially Swift-style superstardom, can’t be far behind.
To stay up to date on all things Sabrina Carpenter including her upcoming album, Mans Best Friend, which is set to land on August 29th, you can head over to her official website. Or, follow her on social media to keep an eye out for any forthcoming announcements.
