Katy Perry - OVO Hydro 7/10/2025

Are you ready to Roar?

Upon a backdrop of pseudo-social media and music videos on giant screens - like an angel - Katy Perry came flying in above the stage, hanging from what appeared to be a rope cage, as she started the show with "Level 1 ARTIFICIAL". Fog, foam and lighting effects framed an atmospheric and mesmerising entrance.

Teary Eyes was a more subdued offering, before the big hit, Dark Horse, which had the crowd in dancing-and-singing hysterics; perfectly sung and performed with verve by a now seasoned performer.

Level 2 - WOMENS WORLD. This section started with the one of Katy Perrys most enduring hits, California Gurls, whilst the dancers turned in an exceptionally acrobatic routine: a dance level-up dedicated to the girls. Next came Teenage Dream, which had literally the whole of the Hydro feeling like teenagers again! Katy then admitted she was almost 41 and "feeling f*cking fabulous"!!!


Then came Hot and Cold, which everyone in the crowd seem to relate to, as they sang along with fervour. Katy returned the passion of the crowd with the interjection that "its Tuesday night but we can make a party anywhere in the streets". The party was continued inside the Hydro, though, as Level 2 finished with I Kissed a Girl, before Perry confessing that she wants to make out with the Scottish boys and the cute Scottish girls. Im sure she would have no shortage of volunteers!

Level 3, NIRVANA, started with the eponymous song. Then came Im His, Hes Mine, which sent the crowd swaying to the beat. Wide Awake was the finisher for Level 3, a fitting ending to a lively segment.

Level 3.5 was on next, which was all about the people and democracy. Katy informed the crowd that if they didnt like the next song on the menu, they could elect to "Choose (their) Own Adventure". Her fans duly took her up on this, and The One That Got Away got the crowds vote: democracy in action as the planned setlist track was overruled!

Level 4 followed, entitled MAINFRAME, kicking off with the Fantasy visuals, accompanied by ET, then Part of Me. This other-worldly Level ended with the dramatic fireworks of Rise, a colourful precursor to the final level.

Level 5, the encore, kicked-off with one of the most anticipated songs, Roar. "Are you ready to Roar?" Of course we are Katy!

Its a very modern way to split the show by levels, but the thematic cohesion and the stage set-up meant things flowed magically as the crowd accelerated - via Daisies and Lifetimes - to the finale, Fireworks, which saw the thousands filling the venue going truly ballistic!

What a show!

A full photo gallery can be found Here

Review by Sara Law, photography by Stewart Fullerton.

This article has been viewed 68 times