JOHN LEGEND LIVE AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO

★★★★☆ (4/5)

JOHN LEGEND PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN

John Legend is out on tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of his most successful album, Get Lifted, which was released in 2024. The UK leg of his tour started in Glasgow.

I remember this album coming out at the time, soulful, packed with hits and a real change from what was being called soul at that time, melodic, stylish and a throwback to old school soul like Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding, full of songs with a purpose and emotion.

I didn’t get to see him perform then so was really keen to see if he could be as good live as he sounds on record.

The OVO wasn’t fully sold out which was a shame but there was a large crowd there to see the gig, there was no support, instead he came on stage at 8.30, allegedly playing until 10.15 but he kept going well past that planned end point concluding with All Of Me.

The overwhelming feeling was there was a real soul man in the house, one who was clearly raised in a gospel tradition as he told us about and then demonstrated. The one downside for me on the night was the crowd, they took a long time to get warmed up and, despite John asking everyone to get on their feet as soon as he came on stage it felt like they never got going. They were four people behind me who never stopped talking for the whole show.

It's a real shame the crowd were not more up for it as Mr Legend was giving a masterclass in being a soul man on the stage, the staging itself was excellent, the between songs stories really gave you a feel for where he had come from and who he is, the melody of hits he’d been involved with for others showed just how much influence he’d had and his voice was even better live than it is on record.

There were a couple of really good bits of audience interaction, when he got one volunteer up on stage to dance with him she gave it all she had and left nothing on the bench and when he sang Ordinary People, a brilliant piece of song writing, there was finally a mass sing along.

I really hope the crowds on the rest of the tour are more engaged as this was a man, and his band, who were giving it their all and showcasing just how good they can be. Aside from the obvious big songs everything off the album was played, and it was all played to a level of perfection which shows just what a tight unit this band are.

I left this gig realising I’d seen a powerhouse of a vocalist with a brilliant band and an excellent back catalogue who is a consummate performer and raconteur. If you get the chance to get a ticket for one of the remaining UK shows you should, just to hear him sing gospel if nothing else!