I feel like I am only just after recovering from this year’s Download festival, and it is time to kick it off again this weekend with a stop at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park.

Not to be put off with being on the same weekend as Glastonbury – the festival has a strong line up with the likes of The Killers, Imelda May, Bon Jovi, Ray Davies, Rod Stewart, Adam Ant and Stevie Nicks making up some of the acts performing over the weekend.

Promoters Live Nation are expecting 145,000 to visit the event. “Because it’s the 40th anniversary of Hard Rock this year, they are going to town and spending a lot of money on the event,” said Live Nation vice president of promotions Toby Leighton-Pope.

Pope went onto say – “The pull of Glastonbury can’t be overstated and I know I’ve paid quadruple for an act that Glastonbury does and they simply come in on the back of what we’ve been doing. But it works both ways, so I can’t complain – Hard rock is artist led. Glastonbury is not.”

Hard Rock Calling gets under way tomorrow when Michael Kiwanuka takes to the main stage and The Heartbreaks open the Pepsi Max stage. They will be followed by Transfer, The Good Natured, The Kills, James, Kaiser Chiefs and the Killers.

Friday 24 June (The Killers + Guests): Doors 14:00 – Show 16:00
Saturday 25 June (Bon Jovi + Guests): Doors 12:00 – Show 13:45
Sunday 26 June (Rod Stewart + Guests): Doors 12:00 – Show 13:45

For tickets please go to www.hardrockcalling.co.uk/2011/tickets