It was a night of pure nostalgia at the Sugababes’ concert at the OVO Hydro, but one thing just couldn’t be ignored and made the whole experience rather disheartening
The recent Sugababes concert in Glasgow was amazing – except for one thing(Image: Nicola Roy/Reach PLC)
Pop music in the noughties was undeniably a time of iconic hits and classic tunes. While many artists from this era have faded into obscurity, some have proven their staying power – and the Sugababes are a prime example.
The group, formed in 1998 by teenagers Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhán Donaghy, took the pop scene by storm with their catchy debut single Overload. Despite numerous lineup changes and challenges over the years, the original trio has made a triumphant return on their first ever arena tour.
As a big fan and a lover of nostalgia, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to see them perform at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow last week. However, there was one aspect of the show that left me feeling disheartened and sympathetic towards the girls.
The trio began their performance with their debut single, emerging from behind a curtain that dramatically dropped to the floor, much to the delight of fans, including myself. Despite complaints on TikTok about their lack of energy and choreography, particularly during this song, the crowd’s enthusiasm ensured a positive atmosphere.
This continued as they performed hits like Red Dress and Hole in the Head, but something strange occurred after the first 20 minutes or so.
The audience, at least those around me in the standing area, appeared to disengage. There was no singing along or dancing as the girls performed a selection of hits from their debut album.
Instead, people were shouting over the music to their friends or busying themselves on their phones.
The original Sugababes have reunited for their first ever arena tour(Image: Getty Images)
I understand that not everyone will know every lyric to every song – I certainly don’t – but if you’ve paid for a show, the least you can do is pay attention.
This seemed particularly unfair to the original lineup, as it was during their earliest work that the crowd seemed most disinterested.
Perhaps it was just my location, but the energy levels felt disappointingly low for such an upbeat concert.
With a bank holiday Friday looming and being in the presence of one of the most thrilling girl groups of that era, they deserved more enthusiasm from the crowd.
However, things did pick up towards the end of their set. Hits like Push the Button, About You Now and even a cover of 90s classic Flowers by Sweet Female Attitude re-energised the crowd, ensuring the night ended on a positive note.
However, I’ve noticed an increasing trend at concerts post-Covid era. Whether it’s in a large venue like the Hydro or a smaller grassroots one, being on your phone or constantly chatting feels disrespectful not only to the artist performing but also to other concertgoers.
We’re all there for the same reason – to enjoy fantastic music and have a good time – and while I understand that it can contribute to the buzz and excitement of the evening, the best way to truly enjoy it is to live in the moment, be present and just have fun with it.