It may not be red hot for the Chilis

United Kingdom | | 14 June 2004

Despite rain being forecast for this weekend, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are preparing to light up London's Hyde Park when they play the first two of three massive gigs there.

While black clouds hang ominously on the weekend's horizon, other parts of Europe have already been basking in the sonic warmth of the Chilis' summer stadium tour as it drifts across the continent and judging by the band's current live form, it shouldn't matter what the gods decide to chuck at us.

On Saturday, around 120,000 fans packed Dublin's Phoenix Park to watch the band reel off a greatest hits set - the biggest ever live show on Irish soil.

Supported by the Pixies and The Thrills, the Chili Peppers played songs spanning their albums, including 'Give It Away', 'Under The Bridge', and 'By The Way'.

On Sunday, they rocked Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, supported by N.E.R.D, before playing dates in Paris and Amsterdam.

Whether you are there or not, the Virtual Festivals crew will be covering the Hyde Park super-gig on Sunday (come rain or shine) so check out some of the best pictures and reviews next week.

Red Hot Chili Peppers play London's Hyde Park on Saturday 19th June, Sunday 20th June, and Friday 25th June.

On Thursday 18th June the City of Manchester Stadium plays host, while the band will entertain Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Wednesday 23rd June.

Support is from James Brown and Chicks On Speed on all dates, except from the final London show when Stellastar take over from the Chicks.