OIivia Dean @ OVO Hydro, Glasgow, 23 Apr

The second of two packed Glasgow Hydro shows from Olivia Dean is full of girlies in polka dot tops and white maxi skirts, myself included, all awaiting the moment Dean will grace us with her presence. There has been a buzz since we walked down the iconic big red tunnel from the Exhibition Centre train station, the kind of joy and excitement that only comes with the first warm day of spring, and of course, going to see Olivia Dean.

A curtain hangs over the stage, Dean behind it, her silhouette visible like Oz the Great and Powerful. We wait with anticipation, desperate to get a peek behind. When it drops, she emerges with poise and playfulness, opening with the trio of Nice To Each Other, Lady Lady and So Easy (To Fall in Love), three incredible singalongs from the powerhouse that is her new album The Art of Loving. They prove hard to top, with tracks like UFO (from previous album Messy) not getting the same reaction from the crowd; while the momentum dips, it doesn't take long for her to win them back again with the likes of Baby Steps and Hardest Part. 

Dean's rise to fame has felt instant, but also incredibly well-deserved. This is her first ever arena tour, and she's sold out both Glasgow dates. To go from playing King Tut’s the last time she was in Glasgow two years ago to the Hydro is no small feat, but she's completely at home on the bigger stage. My friend turns to me at one point and says, “she is ethereal.” It's true, Dean does look angelic, but she's real, and with the most silly, down-to-earth personality. She jokes with the audience and dances like no one is watching, even though we can’t take our eyes off her. She stands out against the simple staging, which perfectly presents her – polished perfection with retro 60s glam, more like a Vegas residency than the Glasgow Hydro.


Image: Olivia Dean @ OVO Hydro, Glasgow by Lola Mansell

Dean brings big, bold energy and vocals that feel larger than life. At points it's almost unbelievable that we're watching her live, but between songs she's grounded, sharing pieces of her life with the audience. She speaks about her grandmother’s journey emigrating from Guyana as part of the Windrush generation, telling us that the song Carmen is dedicated to her as she thanks her for being the reason she can be here today.

The slower moments feel special, if not a bit soppy. Particularly around I’ve Seen It, the last song on the new album, which she introduces by talking about what love means to her: romantic, platonic, family, and importantly, friends. A group of teenage girls in front of me grab each other and hug tightly, encapsulating the essence of The Art of Loving and what Olivia Dean has found with this album. The message is simple – it’s about love and happiness, and making music to give a voice to that feeling. Ending the night with Man I Need, the joy radiates from the stage. Everyone in the seated area around me is up on their feet – feeling a little bit lighter, more optimistic, and a little bit more in love with the world around them.