Busted Vs McFly, OVO Hydro, Glasgow. Friday 3rd October, 2025

Back in January, I was supposed to be at the Magnum gig at the Garage, but it got cancelled due to Storm Éowyn. That gig was rescheduled to tonight, but I'd already promised to take my wife to this show, so not even Storm Amy could stop that. 

The Hydro now has a fence around it. The only open gate was located outside the centre entrance to the building. Rather annoying when your tickets give you priority access via the OVO door on the east side of the building. With the driving rain, we were glad just to get inside, regardless of which door we used. 

We didn't stop to buy merch and headed into the hall. Our seats were on the aisle in the front row of section 51. The floor layout was different to what I've experienced before, utilising a mix of standing and seated areas, the arrow-shaped stage extending into the room.

The audience was predominantly young, small, and female, with a few fathers, husbands, and boyfriends occasionally present. This allowed me a great view of the stage, albeit from a distance.

Our row was empty until about five minutes before the show started, when a family of potatoes arrived. My wife chuckled as she'd only just asked if I was happy with my seat, offering to swap, just as the mummy girl's thigh slapped down against mine, her ample frame filling her seat and part of mine. The entire family was on the large side, so the gran decided she would stand at an empty seat in section 002. Thigh girl often joined her, much to my relief.

The people directly behind us remained seated, unlike everyone around them, which made me feel uncomfortable standing. Eventually, realising no one was using the back row of 002, I crossed to that area, allowing me breathing space and ample opportunities to take pictures without upsetting anyone.  

McFly opened the show, much to the adoration of their fans. I can understand why these noughties popstars are so popular, bringing in a new generation of young fans. Their pop tunes are catchy, the band members are all charismatic in their own way, and they give a great pop/rock-lite show. Although I have an issue with the stage orientation, where each band member tended to play to their corner, the energy of the band couldn't be faulted. The harmonies were flawless. The lighting and pyros wouldn't hold a candle to a KISS show, but they gave the young ones something to remember.

Busted were minus one member as James Bourne had called off for the tour due to ill health. I wondered how his absence would affect the band's dynamic. They initially seemed lacking, making a lot of noise and giving out a lot of energy for little reward. It was as if they were trying to set themselves apart from McFly, delivering a punk performance that was edgy yet lacking in musicality. Even when they brought on another guitarist, I still didn't warm to them. They were like the support act you tolerate waiting for the headliner. In my opinion.

After this, we were treated to a drum battle between the two drummers. To be fair, this was entertaining as both drummers played the same fast-paced tune in sync. Then Matt Willis and Dougie Poynter appeared upstairs on either side of level 2 to slag one another off, splitting the hall to get them to deliver insults to the one opposite. Better that than a bass off. 

Then Charlie and Danny played together on one number before finally both bands united as McBusted for the finale. 

If I'd been a teen and this had been my first concert experience, I would be raving about this show. It gave a little of everything. But I'm not a teen and this aint my first rodeo. I have banked a considerable number of brownie points, however. Magnum would probably have been a better night for me.

Setlist:

McFly
Where Did All the Guitars Go? (McFly song)
Star Girl (McFly song)
That Girl (McFly song)
One for the Radio (McFly song)
I'll Be OK (McFly song)
Obviously (McFly song)
Room on the 3rd Floor (McFly song)
All About You (McFly song)
Transylvania / Lies (McFly song)
Red (McFly song)
The Heart Never Lies (McFly song)

Busted
Crashed the Wedding (Busted song)
Meet You There (Busted song)
Dawson's Geek / Britney / Nerdy / Why (Busted song)
You Said No (Busted song)
Loser Kid (Busted song)
Who's David (Busted song)
Sleeping With the Light On (Busted song)
Everything I Knew (Busted song)
Thunderbirds Are Go (Busted song)
What I Go to School For (Busted song)

McBusted

Drum Battle
Hate Your Guts (McBusted cover)
3am (Busted song)
Not Alone (McFly song)
Air Hostess (Busted song)
5 Colours in Her Hair (McFly song)

Encore:
What Happened to Your Band (McBusted cover)
Shine a Light (McFly song)
Year 3000 (Busted song)

Videos:

All About You - McFly

    

What I Go to School For - Busted

Five Colours in Her Hair - McFly

 
Ticket Price: from Ticketmaster

2 OVO Customer Presale Aisle Seat Ticket (enter via OVO door)
£75.00 x2 £150.00
Per Item Fees
£10.15 (Service Charge OVO Customer Presale Aisle Seat Ticket (enter via OVO door)) x2
£1.70 (Facility Charge OVO Customer Presale Aisle Seat Ticket (enter via OVO door)) x2 £23.70
Order Processing Fees
Handling Fee (£2.00) £2.00
Total £175.70