Hard Rock Calling

Hard Rock Calling 2012

Featured music and interviews

Soundgarden: Interview
Video interview: Chris Cornell and Kim Thayil from Soundgarden are joined in their dressing room by Andy Bush for a chat about playing at Hard Rock Calling 2012, the British weather, and the Olympics...

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band: Interview
Video interview: Steve Van Zandt from Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band chats to Absolute Radio's Polly James about curfews, diet regimes and more - backstage at Hard Rock Calling 2012.

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Alison Krauss: Interview
Video interview: Polly James pops backstage for a chat with Alison Krauss about her set at Hard Rock Calling 2012, as well as where she keeps her numerous awards, and what advice she would have for her 16-year old...

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Jack Savoretti: Interview
Video interview: Jack Savoretti joins Polly James to chat about trying to get a ticket for Paul Simon at Hard Rock Calling 2012 , being compared to Bob Dylan, and more...

Needtobreathe: Interview
Video interview: The boys from Need to Breathe sit down on the Absolute Radio sofa with Polly James to have a chinwag about playing at Hard Rock Calling 2012 , their worldwide popularity, and reconciling their...

Sadie and the Hotheads: Interview
Video interview: Actress and musician Elizabeth McGovern sits down for a chat with Polly James and chats about her career on stage, how overwhelmed she is to be performing at Hard Rock Calling 2012 - and, of...

Kids In Glass Houses: Interview
Video interview: Welsh lads Kids in Glass Houses speak to fellow countryperson Polly James from Absolute Radio at Hard Rock Calling 2012 - about playing the main stage, supporting the Stereophonics, and their...

Black Stone Cherry: Interview
Video interview: Kentucky boys Black Stone Cherry have a chat with Absolute Radio's Andy Bush in the backstage area at Hard Rock Calling 2012 . They discuss the beautiful British weather, playing the festival -...

James Walsh: Interview
Video interview: Festival regular James Walsh chats with Polly James about performing at Hard Rock Calling 2012, being a VIP, and playing in pubs...

Alistair Griffin: Interview
Video interview: Alistair Griffin gets the backstage interview treatment at Hard Rock Calling 2012 as he meets our very own Polly James for a chat about his music, the festival, and... his love life??

Bwani Junction: Interview
Video interview: Bwani Junction chat to Polly James backstage at Hard Rock Calling 2012 about their career so far, playing such a big festival - and hair straightening...

Big Country: Interview
Video interview: The boys from Big Country have a jolly good laugh backstage at Hard Rock Calling 2012 with Polly James - and chat about their music, The Rolling Stones, and their 'crazy' fans.

Karima Francis: Interview
Video interview: Karima Francis chats with Polly James backstage at Hard Rock Calling 2012 - about playing the Absolute Radio Session Stage, getting inspiration to write such personal songs - and 50 Shades of Grey...

Lady Antebellum: Interview
Video interview: Lady Antebellum chat with Polly James from Absolute Radio about playing Hard Rock Calling 2012, being massive fans of Adele, potential world domination and more!

John Fogerty: Interview
Video interview: Andy Bush sneaks backstage at Hard Rock Calling 2012 for a chat with musical legend John Fogerty outside his dressing room. They talk about dueting with Bruce Springsteen, playing in London, and...

Tom Morello: Interview
Video interview: Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave has a chat with Polly James backstage at Hard Rock Calling 2012. Tom explains what it means to him to be playing with Bruce Springsteen, his...

Guillemots: Interview
Video interview: Fyfe Dangerfield and Aristazabal Hawkes from Guillemots catch up with Absolute Radio's Polly James backstage at Hard Rock Calling 2012. They chat about their new 'seasonal' album cycle, managing...

Amy MacDonald: Interview
Video interview: Amy MacDonald joins Andy Bush for a chat live on-air at Hard Rock Calling 2012. Topics under discussion include Amy's touring diet, going to university, and 50 Shades of Grey...

The line-up

On Friday 13 July in London's Hyde Park, seminal American rock legends Soundgarden headlined. One of the forefathers of the renowned Seattle alternative rock scene in the 90s, Soundgarden reunited in 2011 following a 14-year hiatus and are set to release a brand new album in 2012. They were be joined by special guests Iggy & The Stooges, Cold Chisel, Black Stone Cherry, Kids in Glass Houses, The Mars Volta, Skindred and The Dirty Youth.

On Saturday 14 July, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band headlined the bill. Their 2011 shows saw over 150,000 music fans flock to Hyde Park for an unforgettable weekend of live music. This is the second time that Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band have played the Hyde Park show, following a mammoth performance back in 2009. They were joined by John Fogerty, Lady Antebellum, Tom Morello, Amy MacDonald, Dawes, Gary Clarke Jr, Lawson, Needtobreathe, The Night, Jonathan Wilson and Dylan LeBlanc.

On Sunday 15 July, legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon headlined Hard Rock Calling 2012 in London's Hyde Park. Paul performed the groundbreaking Graceland in its entirety, along with some of his greatest hits. Paul Simon was joined on stage by Hugh Masekela, Jimmy Cliff and Ladysmith Black Mambazo for a Graceland reunion, a UK first since 1987. Alison Krauss, Christina Perri, Karima Francis, Big Country, Guillemots, Punch Brothers, Ryan Sheridan, Robert Ellis, Marlon Roudette, Life In Film and Marcus Foster were also on the bill.

Hard Rock Calling 2011
See photos and watch interviews from Hard Rock Calling in London's Hyde Park.