Mica Millar Talks Performing at American Express Presents BST Hyde Park 2025 And More

Jul 10, 2025 | Interviews

Words by Glenn Sargeant

Feature Image Photo Credit: Jasmine Allcock-Fox

UK Soul artist Mica Millar will be performing at American Express Presents BST Hyde Park in London on Saturday 12th July 2025 on the date headlined by the legendary Stevie Wonder. She kindly chatted to JLTT about the performance and more: 

When did you begin singing/songwriting?

I started writing songs when I was eight. I still have my little song book from that age. I grew up in a musical family so I started singing from that age too but I wasn’t very good… It was definitely through songwriting that I found my voice.

What is your earliest musical memory?

My auntie gave me a record player when I was eight years old and my mum and dad gave me 4 vinyls – one was a Stevie Wonder record which I had on repeat for many years. I fell in love with Stevie Wonder at that age, hearing him opened to the door to my love of soul music and he’s been a major inspiration in terms of my singing, writing and artistry.

You will be performing at American Express Presents BST Hyde Park in London on Saturday 12th July 2025 which is the day that Stevie Wonder is headlining. How did that opportunity arise and how are you feeling about the event?

I was put forward as a potential support artist for the show a few months ago and have been waiting with baited breath since then. I honestly didn’t want to get too excited about it in case it didn’t come off. It really is a bucket list moment for me and I can’t wait.

Who is in your touring band and what do they play?

I play with a group of six musician who are from Manchester and Liverpool. Amber Kuti and Grettel Killing (Backing Vocals), Ben Lee Smith (Keys & Backing Vocals), Chris Rabbitts (Bass) and
Joe Luckin (Drums) and Jonny Wharton who is my Sound Engineer. We’ve been touring together for a few years and they are like family to me.

Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

I guess my tracks are all quite reflective and hopeful. I like to write from a genuine, honest and emotive place so I’m not sure I’d describe any of them as happy or angry… definitely reflective.

Do you have any new music releases planned for 2025/2026?

Yes! I’ve been working on my new record for the last year and I’m looking forward to releasing new songs later this year!

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

For this type of show, with such a huge audience across multiple stages, I guess you hope to see some of your existing audience there to support and also to captivate people who haven’t heard you before. I’m playing the Birdcage stage so I’m not too far away from the backstage area… hopefully Stevie will get to hear me sing! What a dream ❤️

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I use a Sennheiser MD435 microphone and it’s my favourite. I never go on stage without it. You get used to using a particular type of microphone I guess and it becomes a sort of comfort to you.

How do you look after your voice?

Lots of yoga for building core strength, vocal warm ups before every show, stream and I do love vocal zone as well as throat coat tea!

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

To be honest I’m a non-fiction kind of gal but, I’d absolutely love to write or have my song featured in some sort of Christmas rom-com like Bridget Jones Diary or Love Actually. I’d also love to write a James Bond theme and I’m a big fan of sci-fi movies so maybe something futuristic about AI?

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Manchester – gritty, grounded, community, industrial, hearty

Do you have any further live dates in the UK/Europe planned for 2025/2026?

Yes – I’m playing at Blue Festival in Poznan and Lazy Days Festival in Southend. I’ll also be in Copenhagen, France, Germany and Turkey for festivals this year.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Stevie Wonder of course. Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Donny Hathaway, Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Jill Scott.

What makes Mica Millar happy and what makes you unhappy?

I try to be pretty positive most of the time, I guess challenging situations that feel difficult to resolve or feeling misunderstood are the things that generally tend to effect me most.

I’d say I’m at my happiest when I’m with friends and family and when I’m writing. There’s a sense of elation that I get from writing which is definitely incomparable to any other feeling. 

Michael Armstrong

Feature Image Photo Credit: Jasmine Allcock-Fox

Mica Millar will be performing at American Express Presents BST Hyde Park on Saturday 12th July 2025.

She will be on The Birdcage Stage at 17:20 – 18.00 (Time Correct as of publication but might be subject to change).

Remaining Tickets Available here: https://www.bst-hydepark.com/

For more information visit her official website: https://www.micamillar.co.uk/