A focal point of Glasgow's cultural scene, the O2 Academy Glasgow is a live music venue that is capable of hosting crowds of up to 2,500 people. It has been running in its current form since 2003, after the building had been closed for a decade. Today, the venue stages a diverse programme of gigs and other forms of entertainment. From live music and club nights to comedy performances and one-off shows, the venue has attracted both internationally renowned musicians and many of the city's up-and-coming bands.

O2 Academy Glasgow history

Occupying an Art Deco building, the O2 Academy Glasgow is a Grade B listed structure that was built in 1932. From 1825, the site was taken up by a church that had been converted for use as a cinema, named the New Bedford Picture House. This business ran from 1921 until a fire destroyed it and the current structure took its place. Following the rebuild, the Academy continued to operate as a picture house until it was converted into a bingo hall in the 1970s. It continued in this capacity until 1993, when it was boarded up and all but forgotten about by many.

In March 2003, following extensive works on the building, the Academy opened for business as a live music venue. The first gig was performed by Scottish favourites Deacon Blue, who played their Raintown album from start to finish. High-profile acts such as Bryan Ferry and the Sugababes soon followed. Indeed, the following year, the American star performer Kanye West played his first show in Scotland at the venue, shortly after he had garnered no less than three MOBO Awards.

In the years that followed, other significant artists took to the stage at the O2 Academy Glasgow. For example, James Brown – known to many as the Godfather of Soul – played one of his final gigs at the venue. The Academy was used by MTV to broadcast their World Stage event to over 160 countries in 2014, which featured the legendary guitarist Slash and Scottish rock outfit Biffy Clyro. In 2007, Paolo Nutini made considerable headway in his career by performing a run of five consecutive concerts, each of them completely sold out.

O2 Academy Glasgow information

Located on Eglinton Street, the O2 Academy Glasgow is on several bus routes, including the 3, the 4, the 38 and the 57. Glasgow Central Station is around 10 minutes away by foot. There are no on-site parking facilities, but there is some on-street parking in the neighbouring area, as well as a car park on Bridge Street.

Similar venues to the O2 Academy Glasgow

You can find other Glasgow gigs by looking at StubHub for venues such as the SSE Hydro Arena or King Tuts Wah Wah Hut.