It was one of those moments when you just walk into a venue and you know it’s going to be a killer show. The hydro was packed to the brim – standing barely had enough room to dance and an empty seat upstairs was rare.

Kicking off the show tonight were touring buddies K. Flay and her band from Illinois. They brought a lot of energy into the venue, constantly moving and dancing around the stage in order to get the crowd pumped up for what was to come.

Imagine Dragons then took to the stage as it lit up with flashing lights and a large screen behind that played a sort of sci-fi type video which included a few clips of human evolution.

The show took off to an explosive start (quite literally), as confetti cannons exploded over the crowd during the first song, ‘I Don’t Know Why’ and everyone was on their feet, jumping and singing along. The song ended and a heartfelt welcome speech began as he made his way down the stage extension, explaining what life was like touring, how it was going to be returning to America and how it was a broken place, but despite this he would not let it break his heart while he was on the stage.

Despite the size of the Hydro it seemed a very inclusive and intimate show, as almost straight into the second song the lead singer was into the crowd; standing on the barriers and holding fans hands as he sang out, soon passing the chance over to the audience to take up the lyrics as he watched on with one of the biggest smiles I think I’ve ever seen on someone before.

As they played the lights and the videos on the screen behind them matched everything perfectly, with kaleidoscopic colours running all round the stage to keep your attention fixed on what was going on in front of you. “My heart is free, my mind is free; and no one will ever control me.” – A phrase which caught everyone’s attention and earned cheers from the audience, everyone resonating with it in some way.

The singer looked around the room with a big smile on his face he said, “I love this city. It’s the city of passion, and every time I’ve been here everyone’s been so passionate all the time.” It was a show where you constantly felt a part of something, like one big family.

‘Demons’ held something in everyone’s minds that night when it was played. The lead singer spoke about his own demons and how he’d been diagnosed with depression at a young age, and then he only felt numbness. He thought he was broken, but then went on to say how depression should not be stigmatised and it was part of him, part of the songs he writes, and part of his recording. No one is ever alone when this happens and you should always reach out and talk to people – he noted how this sounded very cliché, but it was so true. The song then began and he wrapped the LGBT flag round his shoulders and neck as the lights on stage turned to focus on the crowd and lit them up to everyone could be seen.

It was almost as though from there everything sort of brightened up and the atmosphere around the Hydro changed. ‘On Top Of The World’ brought about balloons being released from the ceiling and everyone wanting a chance to get one; foam cannons were being sprayed out at either side of the stage; more confetti falling around.

The lights on stage dimmed at this point, and everyone was waiting for what was next to come, then suddenly the band were walking through the crowd, making their way to a smaller stage that had been set up at the back of the room. “We’ve got a lot of love for you, Glasgow. I didn’t think I’d be this sad on the last night of tour, but thank you for bringing your hearts tonight.”

‘I Bet My Life’ was first to be played on this little acoustic stage with a cello, violin, keyboard and guitars being the instruments of choice for them to mix everything up with an almost stripped back version of their songs. Then out of nowhere and surprising everyone, the beat that every Scot knows began – 500 miles. If the audience hadn’t been singing along previously, they were definitely up on their feet and singing along as loud as they possibly could.

They played a few more songs on the smaller stage before transitioning back to the main one whilst another video played, keeping everyone’s attention as they made their way back through the audience. ‘Thunder’ was their next song on the stage before ‘Believer’ was up.

With a thank you and goodnight the band made their way from the stage, but the lights had barely started to go down before everyone was shouting and chanting for more. And of course they obliged.

The beginning for ‘Radioactive’ began, a drum was brought to the front of the stage, and everyone was gearing themselves up to let go one final time. Everyone in the band had their own drum to set up the opening to the song as they started before flinging themselves into it for one last time. These drums were taken back up just before the final chorus for a new little drum beat through the song to keep it going. With one final stroke, the song ended; lead singer on his knees in a pile of confetti at the end of the stage extension.

Imagine Dragons are a very musically gifted group, each being able to play multiple instruments. The night was electrifying and full of energy, and as you were walking out from the Hydro you could see all the smiles on people’s faces as they left content – but wanting more.

Review by: Hannah Reid

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