Tame Impala: Glasgow OVO Hydro (May 2026) gig review

‘What day is it Glasgow?’ asks Kevin Parker to the delirious crowd. ‘Wow, it’s Monday, you’d never know, it’s so good to be back here’. Initially Parker thinks it’s been ‘a few years’ but in actual fact it’s been 11, with Tame Impala’s last Scottish gig being at the Barras in 2015.

All is forgiven tonight though as Parker and his live band treat the sold-out Hydro to an epic 23 song set, which is supported by a stunning laser light show, high production visuals and confetti cannons.

Tonight the stage is built within the standing section, creating a unique and more intimate feel to such a large venue. The stage lights hover around round the six piece band like a space ship waiting to land creating a further layer of cosmic and sensory magic. 

From the psychedelic sounds of the band’s first two albums to the more house infused tracks from 2025’s Deadbeat tonight is both a visual and audio treat, ‘Elephant’ and ‘Dracula’ are particular crowd pleasers in the first section of the setlist.

An unusual segway takes place at the halfway point of the set as the camera follows Parker so he can go to the toilet. When he reappears, he takes to a ‘B Stage’ which contrasts greatly to the heavily pimped up main stage, here Parker is seated on a small circular stand that looks like a bohemian living room with cushions and lamps laid out. This is a short two song interlude which still captivates the audience despite its dialled down approach. 

With the help of a forcefield of security staff, Parker makes his way back onto the main stage and the band burst into a raucous version of ‘Let It Happen’. With the opening hook comes the first flurry of confetti (with two further doses still to come).

The encore essentially makes the standing area one giant dancefloor as the crowd lap up ‘The Less I Know The Better’ and ‘End of Summer’. It is a joyous finale to a quite spectacular evening, and the continued flow of confetti only indulges the party atmosphere.

Main photo Credit: Marc Bean