Westlife - OVO Hydro 30/09/2026

The Uptown Boys.....

Right on 8.35pm, the lights went down, lasers were brought out on stage and the excitement in the air was palpable. Lighting effects kicked in, revealing the band and delivering a mesmerising 3D display. Westlife were on top of the world as they kicked off by singing World of our Own while the giant screens were illuminating a world tour, cycling through countless different countries in the background. The Irish pop group, formed in Sligo in 1998, were on fire, and the crowds sheer delight was exceptional.


Westlife at OVO Hydro - photo by Stewart Fullerton.

It was clear the trio consisting of Shane, Kian and Nicky were all looking the part. They appeared to have been stuck in a time warp - with all remaining handsome, well-dressed and ready for a huge show which featured a non-stop set jam-packed with all their biggest chart-topping ballads and pop anthems from their journey spanning the last quarter of a century. What a scintillating, nostalgic and uplifting performance it promised to be.

Westlife were back with a vengeance as they sang popular and well-known Billy Joel cover Uptown Girl. The crowd were singing along as the heartthrobs were back offering Glasgow a night to remember.

What About Now followed, a Draughty cover - admitted by the trio that this is their all-time favourite. Perhaps the highlight was When Youre Looking Like That came on - the fire and the Guns N Roses-esque guitar solo was a particularly memorable highlight.

As Westlife walked around the crowd and moved into the centre of the huge venue that is the Hydro, singing, dancing and chanting "no Scotland, no party", the crowd were roaring with happiness. Then came the enchanting Celtic ballad My Love, sung with characteristic passion and love. The crowd were singing along with delighted glee.


Westlife at OVO Hydro - photo by Stewart Fullerton.

Hello My Love was the final song of the show before the encore. What a stunning ending to a fantastic show. The set, the lighting, the energy and the crowd were an unstoppable combination, relentlessly outstanding.


Westlife at OVO Hydro - photo by Stewart Fullerton.

The encore was perhaps one of the shows major highlights: "there is a light that never goes out", a traditional Celtic intro before You Raise me Up was played. Swear It Again was Westlifes final song - their debut single, released in April 1999. It was their first UK number-one hit and its clear that it was a trip down memory lane for a crowd who still clutched to it with fondness. The very start of the band, and what an end to the show.

Review by Sara Law, photography by Stewart Fullerton.

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