Drake is one of the most popular hip hop artists in the world today. The Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter and actor has released numerous hit albums and singles over the course of his career. One of the places Drake has performed over the years is Glasgow, Scotland. Knowing when Drake played shows in Glasgow can provide useful context for fans looking to learn more about his touring history.
Drake’s Concert History in Glasgow
According to available records, Drake has performed in Glasgow on three occasions since rising to global stardom in the late 2000s. His concert history in the city is as follows:
- October 28, 2010 – Drake performed at the Glasgow Academy as part of his Away from Home tour. This was in support of his debut album Thank Me Later.
- March 9, 2014 – Drake returned to Glasgow to perform at the Hydro arena. This concert was part of his Would You Like A Tour? in support of his third album Nothing Was the Same.
- March 7, 2017 – Most recently, Drake performed at the SSE Hydro once again on his Boy Meets World Tour, named after his fourth studio album Views.
Based on this information, we can determine that Drake has played major shows in Glasgow in 2010, 2014 and 2017 over the course of his touring career. His early Glasgow gig was at a smaller venue, but he has since returned to perform at the major Hydro arena on his last two world tours.
Setlist at Glasgow Concerts
In addition to knowing when Drake performed in Glasgow, it’s also interesting to look at what songs he played at his shows in the city. Setlist.fm and other concert archives provide some insight into the tracks Drake has performed over the years in Glasgow:
2010 Setlist
- Over
- Best I Ever Had
- Up All Night
- Miss Me
- Fancy
- Forever
- Unforgettable
- Find Your Love
- 9AM in Dallas
- I’m Goin’ In
- Successful
This 2010 setlist relies heavily on tracks from Drake’s debut album, including hits like “Best I Ever Had,” “Over,” and “Up All Night.” He was still an up-and-coming artist at the time, so fans got to hear some of his earliest hits performed live.
2014 Setlist
- Started From the Bottom
- Tuscan Leather
- Furthest Thing
- Wu-Tang Forever
- Own It
- No New Friends
- Hold On, We’re Going Home
- Connect
- The Language
- Too Much
- Pound Cake
By 2014, Drake was performing hits from his third album Nothing Was the Same like “Started From the Bottom,” “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” and “Pound Cake.” He also did older favorites like “No New Friends” from previous mixtapes.
2017 Setlist
- Free Smoke
- Started From the Bottom
- Jumpman
- Both
- Know Yourself
- With You
- Pop Style
- The Motto
- Controlla
- Too Good
- Work
- One Dance
- Hotline Bling
Drake’s most recent Glasgow show featured his newer hits from Views like “One Dance,” “Too Good,” and “Controlla.” He also made sure to incorporate older smashes like “Started From the Bottom,” “Know Yourself” and “Hotline Bling” to keep the crowd excited.
Notable Moments from Glasgow Shows
Looking back at Drake’s performances over the years in Glasgow, there are a few notable moments that stand out:
- 2010 – Drake bringing out a surprise guest, Nicki Minaj, who had just started gaining buzz. The two performed their collaboration “Up All Night” live for the first time.
- 2014 – Drake stopping the show after noticing a fan pass out in the crowd. He refused to continue until he confirmed the fan was okay and got medical attention.
- 2017 – Drake paying tribute to fallen hip hop icons like 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. during his performance, rapping snippets of their classic songs.
These memorable moments help characterize the lively atmosphere and excitement that has filled Drake’s shows in Glasgow over the years. He knows how to surprise the crowd and keep the energy going strong all night.
Reception in Glasgow
Based on fan reactions, critical reviews and the packed crowds Drake has drawn in Glasgow, it’s clear that the city has enthusiastically embraced the rapper. His concerts in Glasgow have garnered positive feedback:
- 2010 – Fans were pleased Drake took the time to visit Glasgow early in his rise to stardom and liked the intimate feel of the Academy show.
- 2014 – Reviews praised the high energy setlist and Drake’s charismatic stage presence during the Would You Like A Tour? stop.
- 2017 – The Boy Meets World Tour performance was called a crowning homecoming for Drake’s phenomenally successful year in 2016.
Over the years, Drake has evolved from a modest up-and-comer to a world dominating superstar in both his recorded music and live shows. But throughout, he has kept Glasgow an important stop along the way – to the delight of his Scottish fans.
Drake’s Upcoming Shows
Right now, there are no scheduled Drake concerts in Glasgow on the books. However, he continues to tour regularly in support of his latest hit album Certified Lover Boy.
Date | Venue | Location |
---|---|---|
April 1, 2022 | State Farm Arena | Atlanta, GA |
April 2, 2022 | Bridgestone Arena | Nashville, TN |
April 4-5, 2022 | Barclays Center | Brooklyn, NY |
Based on Drake’s history of stopping in Glasgow every few years, Scottish fans can likely expect him to return sometime within the next year or two. He has become too massive of a global superstar to skip over cities like Glasgow forever. Fans should keep their eyes peeled for an announcement of a Certified Lover Boy Tour date in Glasgow hopefully in the not too distant future.
Conclusion
To conclude, Drake has made memorable stops in Glasgow, Scotland over the course of his world conquering music career. He first played the city back in 2010 at the start of his rise to fame. He returned in 2014 and 2017 as his star power grew exponentially. Some of Drake’s career highlights have taken place in front of his passionate Glasgow crowds. And the city has warmly embraced him as one of the biggest rappers on the planet. While another Drake concert in Glasgow has yet to be scheduled, his history with the city suggests it’s only a matter of time before he returns again for another unforgettable Scottish performance.