The OVO Hydro is the new name for Scotland’s home of live entertainment

The OVO Hydro is the new name for Scotland’s home of live entertainment. 

Having re-opened its doors to excited fans in September following an 18-month absence, the nation’s flagship venue is expected to welcome over 1.2million visitors next year thanks to a record-breaking schedule of shows. 

With over 40% more events programmed for 2022 than in an average year, the OVO Hydro will welcome more fans than ever before – and new title partner OVO Energy is committed to supporting the venue in further reducing the environmental impact of its world-class entertainment programme. 

Fans will be treated to an array of A-list stars, with international artists such as Shawn Mendes, Billie Eilish and The Weeknd joining UK talent including Dua Lipa and Anne-Marie. 

The OVO Hydro’s biggest ever year of live entertainment will also see the venue continue to develop its sustainability credentials as part of a journey to achieve ‘Greener Arena Certification’; A Greener Festival’s rigorous, independent certification process providing external verification that carbon reduction and transition strategies are at the heart of all venue operations, from catering to materials used and circularity.  

OVO will support the venue’s goal to achieve ‘Greener Arena Certification’ through funding of specific carbon-reduction and environmental initiatives recommended as a result of the annual accreditation process, so fans and artists can experience the joy of live entertainment with the feel-good factor of minimising their impact on the environment.

OVO’s Head of Sponsorship & Partnerships, Colin Banks said: 

“At OVO, we want to develop purposeful partnerships which reflect our commitment to make zero carbon living a reality – not just in the home, but in the things we love doing too, like going to see our favourite band or comedian. 

“That’s why we share in the OVO Hydro’s ambition to help live entertainment in becoming more sustainable. It’ll take time, but together, we want to make lower-impact live events a headline act in their own right and the ‘Greener Arena Certification’ process is an incredibly positive step on that journey. 

“We’ll also be supporting the venue in identifying practical ways in which we can help to further reduce its environmental impact, without detracting from the OVO Hydro’s first-class visitor experience. We look forward to releasing more detail around some of the initiatives already being put in place, in the very near future.”

Debbie McWilliams, Director of Live Entertainment at the SEC added: 

“We’re delighted to welcome OVO Energy as title partner of the OVO Hydro at what is a hugely exciting time for the venue. 

“We’ve endured a long wait for live entertainment to return, but now we are back and looking forward to our biggest ever schedule of events in 2022.”

Billy McFadyen, Director of Finance and Development at the SEC added: 

“OVO Energy are the perfect partner for SEC to help achieve our sustainable goals and objectives.   We’re working hard to build on our existing, multi-layered sustainability programme and look forward to working with A Greener Festival towards achieving ‘Greener Arena Certification’ for the OVO Hydro. 

“We’re grateful to OVO for their support towards this incredibly important consultation and certification process and look forward to working together to further strengthen our sustainability credentials, build upon the work we have already done, and make Scotland’s flagship entertainment venue as low impact as possible.” 

The work with OVO and A Greener Festival will build on sustainability initiatives already in place across the SEC campus. SEC recently launched a sustainable food strategy with 80% of food on campus being sourced in Scotland and grown by producers using sustainable and responsible agriculture processes. 

The campus also introduced digital ticketing when fans returned last month, reducing paper usage by removing the need to print tickets at home. New initiatives such as these underpin a long-standing partnership with Trees for Life, the conservation charity dedicated to linking up several fragments of the Caledonian Forest in the Highlands to create a corridor of native woodland. With contributions made to Trees For Life for every conference hosted at the SEC, the campus has already supported the growth of almost 170,000 trees over the last decade. 

The OVO Hydro will host its first event under the new name when JLS come to Glasgow on 20th and 21st October. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.co.uk