OVO Hydro in Glasgow turns 10
Scotland's biggest arena for concerts and events opened its doors for the first time in September 2013.
Last updated 29th Sep 2023
Tomorrow marks ten years since the OVO Hydro first opened its doors in Glasgow with a concert from Rod Stewart.
The venue was initially called 'The SSE Hydro' until October 2021 when OVO took over as the sponsor.
Construction of the multi-million pound project began in February 2011 and took two and a half years, with a fire briefly setting the process back just four months before it was due to be finished.
In June 2013 the blaze caused significant damage to the roof of the venue, but after a huge effort, the site was ready to be opened by the end of September.
Then CEO, John Sharkey told Clyde 1: “We were the better part of four months away from opening, and a fair amount of damage, so it really did take a huge amount of people to really roll up their arms and sleeves and get it finished, and get it completed, and get it opened.”
A stage for the stars
Over the last decade, the Hydro has played host to thousands of events, from concerts to drag shows, comedy gigs to Strictly Come Dancing and Disney On Ice.
Rod Stewart was first on the stage with four nights of his 2013 Live the Life Tour, and was soon followed by the likes of Beyonce, Dolly Parton, Noel Gallagher, and the Arctic Monkeys.
Covid emergency role
When the world shut down in 2020 for the pandemic, events at the Hydro were brought to a sudden end, but in 2021 the venue was transformed into the NHS Louisa Jordan hospital, becoming the centre for vaccinations in Glasgow.
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was amongst the first to be vaccinated in the new centre, with thousands more joining across the rest of the summer.
Record breaker
It is one of the busiest venues in the world, regularly making it into the top 10 most visited arenas annually.
In 2018 it peaked, second only to Madison Square Garden in New York, with nearly 1.06m tickets sold, for artists like Paloma Faith, Shania Twain, and Harry Styles.
When the hit comedy Still Game was revived on the stage it eventually ran for 21 shows.
Jane McCarry, who played Isa in the show said: “You couldn’t even speak for ages or say your lines because they were just screaming ‘Isa!’ and it was magical.
The demand for shows was so high, the BBC Scotland sitcom even blocked superstars U2 from including the venue in their UK tour.
Genuinely so exciting, and a Scottish audience as well, they’re just incredible.”
Saving the planet
The Hydro was beamed around the world during the Cop26 climate change summit in Glasgow in November 2021.
A giant illuminated globe was suspended above the arena which was known as the 'Action Zone' where thousands of delegates from around the world were able to relax, and was used and a place where TV presenters hosted live news broadcasts.
Sporting venue
Just one year after it opened, the Hydro was one of the host venues for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, transforming into netball courts and a gymnastics floor.
To celebrate the milestone, the Hydro is presenting its ‘Tinstallation’ wall of fame, feature ten iconic acts who have performed there in celebration of their tin anniversary.
The 10 stars will be printed on metal canvases, and fans were given the opportunity to vote for the tenth person, who will be unveiled soon.
They have also given fans the chance to enter the draw for five people to be gifted a pair of tickets to an event of their choice next year, which from the line up could already include former One Direction star Niall Horan, or the Jonas Brothers.
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