I saw John Legend perform at Glasgow's Hydro
US singer John Legend brought soul to the Hydro on Tuesday night by performing an intimate set to a smaller crowd than the arena is used to.
A trio of backing singers signalled his entrance by teasing vocals before the Ohio-born star appeared dressed in a satin suit.
He then asked: 'What's up Glasgow?' - before demanding, 'Get on your feet, c'mon,' to perform Get Lifted.
(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.) Used to Love You - the 2004 debut he wrote and produced with rapper Kanye West - then followed.
With a little swagger, he then launched into the tracks that featured on his 2004 debut Get Lifted including the Snoop Dogg featured I Can Change and Alright.
(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.)
The night was about celebrating the two decades since that album's release, and vocally Legend has never sounded better.
This was particularly evident when he took it back to church for a performance of Take My Hand, Precious Lord. His voice was just beautiful.
(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.)
He then laughed: 'I am having so much fun going back 20 years with you all.'
This moment marked the start of him reminiscing about his career.
He revealed he played piano when he was just starting out on Lauren Hill's Everything is Everything before demonstrating the beat he created with his voice for Kanye's Jesus Walks - which featured on the rapper's debut The College Dropout - and the sound was quite something.
He also boasted his CV included writing credits on Estelle's American Boy while he sang background vocals on Alicia Keys' You Don't Know My Name.
(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.)
This section of the show lifted the mood instantly as the atmosphere up until that point had been rather lacklustre.
A crowd that small in the Hydro just gets lost, and it showed.
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(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: John Legend performs at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, May 2025. Picture by Calum Buchan.)
Ordinary People however, impressed with the audience modestly singing along while the Meghan Trainor duet Like I'm Gonna Lose You showcased the prowess in his voice.
Surprising a fan, he got her on stage for a dance, and she seized the moment making the audience laugh.
Finishing things off, he showed off his own dance moves again on Green Light which featured Outkast's Andre 3000 while All of Me was the moment of the night.
He signed off: 'It's been so beautiful hanging out with you.'
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