It is only two years ago that Grammy-winning star Olivia Dean was playing a small music venue in Glasgow with a capacity of just 300. Now, she has capped a remarkable rise to stardom with what the city's huge OVO Hydro arena has praised as one of its top-selling performances ever.
From King Tut's to the Hydro
The singer, whose hits include 'Man I Need' and 'So Easy (To Fall In Love)', kicked off her UK tour at the Scottish venue earlier this week, performing in front of a 14,000-strong crowd. The first notes of the Art of Loving Tour sounded out just two years after Dean performed at an iconic but tiny Glasgow venue, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, where Oasis were famously signed.
At one stage during the Hydro show, she told fans: "This is crazy. Apologies if I get emotional tonight but I just can't believe how many people are here. Today we were driving in and I drove past King Tut's. I played there two years ago, and there was 300 people in the room. Now I'm here with all of you, so thank you so much for being here."
Venue Praises Landmark Achievement
SEC boss Dominic McKay applauded Dean's success at the Hydro, saying: "Hosting two sold out nights for Olivia Dean is a landmark moment for the OVO Hydro and for Glasgow. These performances rank among the top selling shows in the venue's history, reflecting not only Olivia's exceptional talent and connection with audiences, but also Glasgow's strength as a world class live events destination."
He added: "Over the past year, we've continued to invest in enhancing the Hydro experience, including increasing capacity so even more fans can enjoy live music. This evolution is helping us attract global, award-winning artists, and Olivia's back-to-back sell-outs highlight the significant opportunity for international stars in Glasgow."
Dean's Journey to Stardom
Dean, 27, from Haringey, London, was accepted by the BRIT School, a highly selective but free performing arts school in Croydon, at age 15. She initially studied musical theatre but switched to songwriting for her final two years and convinced her mother to buy her a second-hand piano.
The OVO Hydro is due to host a number of global acts this year, including Doja Cat, Gorillaz, and the Pussycat Dolls. The venue will also host 'Our Moment' – Scotland's biggest World Cup watch party – and is a key venue for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
