Glasgow Hydro gig to go ahead after SECC gas leak

A MAJOR concert at the brand-new Hydro arena in Glasgow will go ahead tonight after the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre was evacuated earlier today when a gas main was damaged by contractors.

The Hydro was evacuated. Picture: Robert Perry

There were fears that tonight’s show at the new Hydro arena - Danny Elfman’s Music From The Films Of Tim Burton - would have to be cancelled.

An SECC spokeswoman said the orchestral performance, the show’s only Scottish date, will go ahead as scheduled, albeit an hour later than billed.

Engineers fixed the leak at the complex on the north bank of the River Clyde earlier today.

The SECC comprises the main conference centre, the Hydro and the Clyde auditorium.

All three were evacuated at around 11.45am and some surrounding roads were shut.

The spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that the buildings on site including the SSE Hydro, SECC and Clyde Auditorium have been checked by the relevant authorities and are now safe to be occupied.

“Consequently, tonight’s show at the SSE Hydro, Danny Elfman’s Music From The Films Of Tim Burton will still go ahead and is now expected to start at a revised time of 8.30pm.”

The Hydro is Scotland’s newest music venue and opened only last week with a sold-out concert by Rod Stewart.

Gary Barlow and Justin Timberlake are scheduled to play at the 13,000-capacity arena which is also set to host the premier league darts in coming months.

Construction of the Hydro was hit in June when a fire broke out in the roof but despite concerns, the damage was not serious and the venue opened on schedule.