Sir Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen's silencing at their Saturday show has been seen as a "punishment".

The Rock legends were performing to 65,000 fans in London's Hyde Park when their jamming session was stopped after they overran their agreed curfew time. The legendary artists were halted when their microphones were cut off, which angered fans. Springsteen's band members were also annoyed and took to Twitter to vent their fury.

"One of the great gigs ever in my opinion. But seriously, when did England become a police state?" said E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt, who was performing on stage when the sound was stopped. "We break curfews in every country but only English cops needs to "punish us" by not letting us leave until the entire crowd goes (sic)."

Springsteen and his band had been performing a medley of classics before McCartney joined them on stage for the finale. Organisers plugged the plug when their performance went past the 10.30pm cut off.

The crowd at the Hard Rock Calling event booed the decision to silence the superstars after they sang versions of hits including I Saw Her Standing There and Twist and Shout.

"Can't believe they pulled the plug on Springsteen and Macca last night in Hyde Park," actor Simon Pegg tweeted. "What joyless, bitter killjoy made that decision? #shame (sic)."