JLS // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW
A triumphant, feel-good night that showed heart, humour, and unshakable showMANSHIP
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5)
JLS PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO PHOTOCREDIT - CHLOE MCLELLAND
The OVO Hydro was buzzing long before JLS appeared. From the moment the doors opened, fans poured in wearing tour merch, waving banners, and singing along to throwback hits over the speakers. The atmosphere was unmistakably Glasgow, loud, friendly, and full of love for the band that helped define the generation of UK pop.
The night opened with Example, who stormed the stage with his trademark mix of dance beats and rapid-fire lyrics. His set, packed with hits like “Changed the Way You Kiss Me” and “Kickstarts,” had the crowd jumping and singing from the start.
Though his sound was more electronic than JLS’s smooth R&B, the contrast worked well, by the end of his set, the Hydro crowd was fully warmed up and buzzing with anticipation.
When the lights dropped and the intro video hit the big screens, the roar inside the Hydro was deafening. JLS burst onto the stage, Aston, Marvin, JB, and Oritsé dressed sharp and ready to deliver a high-energy set packed with nostalgia and precision choreography.
They opened with “Eyes Wide Shut,” and from there, the hits just kept coming, “Beat Again,” “She Makes Me Wanna,” and of course “Everybody in Love.” Every song was met with a wave of cheers and thousands of voices singing along word-for-word.
Midway through the concert, Aston took a moment to address the crowd about his noticeable injury. Smiling through the pain, he told fans he’d suffered a knock during rehearsals and would be performing “on crutches for a bit.” The audience immediately erupted in support, cheering him on as he continued to dance and sing with the same trademark energy he’s known for.
Despite the setback, his vocals were flawless, and his determination only made the crowd louder. It became one of the night’s most heart warming moments, proof of the band’s professionalism and dedication to their fans.
One of the standout moments came midway through, when the band broke into a playful, DJ-style mash-up of some of their earlier tracks and fan favourites. It was unexpected, fun, and showed they weren’t afraid to mix things up. The group’s chemistry was undeniable. Their harmonies were tight, their choreography crisp (even with Aston’s limited movement), and the visuals behind them added a modern flair to their classic tracks. Pausing mid track to thank Glasgow for being “one of the loudest and most loyal” audiences a statement met with deafening approval.
The Hydro crowd was on top form all night. Every chorus became a massive singalong, with fans of all ages, from those who followed JLS since The X Factor days to younger fans discovering them anew, dancing, waving phones, and shouting every lyric.
Even with the hydro being an all seated venue this time around, barely anyone stayed still. The energy between the band and the audience felt genuine and mutual, the kind of connection only built through years of shared history.
Injured or not, JLS proved they’re still one of Britain’s most dynamic pop acts. Their Glasgow show was slick, heartfelt, and overflowing with energy from start to finish. Example’s lively opening performance set the perfect tone, and JLS kept that momentum rolling all night.
For long time fans, it was a joyful trip down memory lane; for newcomers, a reminder of why these four still matter in British pop.
REVIEW + PHOTOS BY: CHOLE MCLELLAND
