Ten years ago this evening, Sir Rod Stewart took to the stage to give the opening performance at Scotland’s newest venue.
Thousands gathered on the banks of the River Clyde to get their first look at what is now known as OVO Hydro.
Over the next decade the venue became a Glasgow landmark and hosted some of the biggest music, cultural, sporting and political events in recent times.
STV NewsThe hydroelectric power station under construction in Glasgow. STV News
For years, Glaswegians took part in major performances by heading west along the Clyde to what was then known as the SECC.
The Armadillo Auditorium and SEC Center are now joined by the giant, saucer-shaped Hydro, part of the Scottish Events Campus.
But once the doors opened, it was full steam ahead and the world-class venue was used for many major events – from Elton John to COP26 to the Commonwealth Games.
Debbie McWilliams, head of live entertainment, said: “It’s been an outstanding decade of music, comedy and sport. The venue has gone from strength to strength year on year and has firmly established itself as a world-class event organizer in the global entertainment industry.
“With over 1,000 shows listed, ten million fans and a cupboard full of awards, there is much to celebrate. We are excited to launch our tenth birthday season and in the coming weeks will shine a spotlight on the fans, artists, promoters and partners who have played a critical role in our success.”
STV News takes a look back at some of the Hydro’s most significant moments.
SIR ROD STEWART TAKES THE SHOW ON THE ROAD
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It took eight years to make and cost around £125 million.
But it was worth it when Rod Stewart took the stage for the first concert at the Hydro on September 30, 2013.
The 68-year-old rocker laughed off months of concerns about whether the complex would be ready for his run, telling the audience: “We did it.”
He burst onto the stage wearing a sparkling silver jacket and immediately tore through some of his biggest hits, including This Old Heart of Mine, Tonight’s The Night and Twisting the Night Away.
COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2014
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Gymnastics and boxing were among the sports held at the Hydro as it served as the venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The venue also hosted the netball finals and a young Max Whitlock took silver in the pommel horse.
MOBO AWARDS
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The 2016 MOBO Awards took place at the Hydro, with Craig David, Lady Leshurr and Drake among the big winners of the night.
It was the fourth time the awards, which celebrate urban music artists, have been presented in Glasgow.
STILL GAME AND KEVIN BRIDGES
STV NewsStill Game sold out 21 shows at the Hydro. STV News
Countless acts have taken the stage at the Hydro, but it’s Still Game Live and Kevin Bridges who share the record for most shows played, with an incredible 51 each.
Still Game stars Jane McCarry and Sanjeev Kohli, who played nosy neighbor Isa and shopkeeper Navid, told STV News it was surreal to perform in front of such a large audience.
Sanjeev said: “I think the place had opened a year before our gig and I just got the email saying ‘Still Game is coming back and we’re doing it live at the Hydro’ and you’re like ‘Peebles or…’Seamill’.
“We originally had a contract for four shows. We sat in an empty Hydro for the press conference and I thought there was no way we were going to sell it out once, but we ended up selling it 21 times.”
Jane added: “Apparently we stopped U2 because it was supposed to be four shows and then six, we took so long they had to be pushed forward.”
“We didn’t know if it would work because no one had ever done a show, actually a sitcom, on a stage that size. They know it would work at the King’s Theater but not at a venue like this.”
MTV EUROPE MUSIC AWARDS 2014
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The MTV Europe Music Awards, hosted by Nicki Minaj, took place at the Hydro in 2014.
Ozzy Osbourne, U2 Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande were among the star-studded cast.
COP26 CLIMATE SUMMIT
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The Hydro hosted the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) in November 2021, which was a meeting of all countries that have signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Climate Agreement.
Around 120 heads of state and government from around the world were in attendance, including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Indian President Narendra Modi.
LEADING ROLE IN THE NETFLIX EUROVISION FILM
The Hydro became the venue for the Eurovision Song Contest in the film The Story of Fire Saga on Netflix, starring Will Ferrell.
Confusingly, the film didn’t show The Hydro in Glasgow – it was actually moved to the end of the George IV Bridge in Edinburgh.
In fact, the Hydro made it to the final two in the race to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, but lost to Liverpool.
COVID-19 VACCINATION CENTER
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Due to the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdowns, music at the Hydro has been suspended in 2020 and 2021.
It was converted into the NHS Louisa Jordan, where doses of the Covid-19 vaccine were administered to the public.
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among those who used the venue to have their fun.
SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
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The ` Sports Personality of the Year Awards took place at the Hydro in December 2014.
Sir Chris Hoy was presented with a lifetime achievement award in front of a home crowd.
WHAT’S NEXT?
More than ten million tickets have been sold for events at the Hydro in the last decade and there is still much to look forward to in the coming months.
Take That and Olivia Rodrigo are just some of the big names set to perform at the venue as it begins its second decade.
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