As the festive season fades and the January blues set in, why not lift your spirits by planning ahead for the incredible gigs coming up in the first half of 2025.
January
Start the year with a bang as an electrifying co-headline tour hits Glasgow’s OVO Hydro at the end of January. Welsh heavy metal legends Bullet For My Valentine and American metal powerhouse Trivium are joining forces for their anniversary “The Poisoned and Ascendancy Tour”!
This epic night celebrates two iconic albums released back in 2005, marking 20 years of their legacy with a high-energy show you won’t want to miss. To top it off, Swedish metal titans Orbit Culture will be opening the show, bringing their signature blend of heavy riffs and thunderous drums.
Image Credit: Surge
Prepare for an unforgettable evening of pure nostalgia, powerful performances, and headbanging energy—what better way to kick off your 2025 concert calendar?
February
With January behind us, February brings an exciting lineup of events, packed with anniversary tours and unforgettable gigs!
Bowling For Soup is headed to Scotland’s capital to celebrate 20 years of their iconic “A Hangover You Don’t Deserve” album. This pop-punk classic is sure to remind everyone that “this was not a phase!”.
Meanwhile, after a seven-year hiatus, alternative rockers Madina Lake are making their return to Glasgow with a show at SLAY. Get ready to sing your heart out to “Here I Stand” and relive those youthful memories.
Image Credit: Joe Giron
For metalheads, this February marks a monumental event: Pantera is embarking on their first UK headline tour in over 20 years! They’ll take over Glasgow’s OVO Hydro in what promises to be a multigenerational gathering of fans—complete with battle jackets and heavy riffs.
More US bands are making their way to Glasgow, too. Motionless In White will bring their intense energy to the iconic Barrowland Ballroom.
And if you’re into alternative Scottish-American connections, here’s one for you: Call Me Amour, featuring Harry Redford of Yashin, will headline SWG3.
Their moody electronic vibes, combined with dynamic guitars and collaborations with artists like Scott Kennedy (Bleed From Within) and Mikey Chapman (Mallory Knox), promise a local gig with major impact.
March
March kicks off with The Darkness, who will light up Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall with their electrifying rock and unmatched stage presence. Known for their energetic performances, this is a show guaranteed to entertain.
Image Credit: Welcome to the Darkness
This year also marks the return of several legendary bands, including Limp Bizkit. Nu-metal fans, get ready! Dust off your red snapbacks and head to the Hydro for a high-energy party that’s sure to be a highlight of the year—especially for those disappointed by Papa Roach skipping Scotland on their tour.
However, the most emotional show of the month will likely be You Me At Six‘s farewell tour, “The Final Nights of Six.” Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom will host three sold-out nights, offering fans a bittersweet goodbye to a band that’s left an indelible mark on the music scene. Don’t miss this chance to say farewell in style!
April
We’re thrilled to welcome Swedish rockers Ghost to Glasgow’s Hydro, where they’ll deliver their signature theatrical heavy metal style! What makes this gig truly unique is their strict no-phone policy, offering a refreshing experience many of us haven’t had in years.
Image Credit: New England Sound
This policy will encourage us to fully immerse ourselves in the moment, rediscover the joy of enjoying a live performance without distractions, and focus on the incredible show unfolding before us.
Plus, it means no more trying to watch through a sea of raised phone screens—just an uninterrupted view of the spectacular performance!
May
Alternative American duo Twenty One Pilots return with their Clancy World Tour, celebrating the release of their 2024 album Clancy. Exactly a year after its release, Scottish fans are in for a treat as the band takes over the Hydro.
Known for their genre-blending sound that merges electro-pop and alternative rock, Tyler Joseph’s remarkable falsetto vocals, rap verses, and powerful screams make every performance unforgettable.
Image Credit: Spotify – Make Them Suffer
On the heavier end of the spectrum, don’t miss Australian metalcore powerhouse Make Them Suffer this month.
Their unique blend of Sean Harmanis’ crushing screams with Alex Reade’s hauntingly beautiful ballad vocals, all backed by symphonic elements and roaring riffs, creates an electrifying sound. Get ready for an intense night filled with crowd surfing, mosh pits, and unrelenting energy.
June
As we reach the halfway point of a year already filled with legendary comebacks, it’s only fitting that metal icons Iron Maiden make their return to Glasgow’s OVO Hydro with the Run For Your Lives World Tour. Celebrating an extraordinary 50 years since the band’s formation, these heavy metal pioneers show no signs of slowing down.
Fans can expect a mind-blowing production featuring their iconic mascot, Eddie, and Bruce Dickinson’s powerful vocals that prove age is merely a number. This is set to be a truly epic performance by one of the most enduring and influential bands in metal history!
The first half of 2025 is shaping up to be incredible, and we’re excited to see which other amazing alternative bands will join the lineup for the second half of the year. Stay tuned for more updates.
Featured Image Credit: Jimmy Hubbard
