Jason Durelo - OVO Hydro, Glasgow 29th January 2026

Review By Lauren Page

Worldwide superstar Jason Derulo kicked off his Last Dance World Tour in Glasgow on

Thursday night, and while the production was undeniably slick, futuristic and visually

impressive, the performance itself didn’t quite live up to the standard many fans were hoping for.

Before we get into the criticisms, it’s important to say this clearly: Jason Derulo knows how to put on a show. From the moment the lights went down, it was obvious this tour had been meticulously designed.

The set was bold and immersive, the choreography was intense and

precise, and there was a clear narrative woven throughout the night. In terms of staging,

visuals and theatrical moments, this was everything you’d expect from an arena-level pop spectacle.

However, one thing became increasingly noticeable as the night went on - Jason barely sang live.

Lip syncing isn’t unusual in pop concerts, especially when artists are dancing at such a high level. But when it begins to feel like the majority of the vocals are pre-recorded, it becomes hard to ignore. At one point, the woman next to me summed it up perfectly, saying she’d paid an eye-watering price to essentially watch someone dance to a backing track - a comment that felt genuinely heartbreaking, and one that echoed the sentiment of many fans both inside the arena and later online.

This was particularly disappointing because Jason Derulo is an artist I’ve wanted to see live for years.

Ever since Whatcha Say dropped back in 2009, I’ve been hooked on his sound,

his slick pop-R&B crossover hits and, of course, his music videos - which never miss. He’s

built a career on catchy anthems, strong visuals and an undeniable stage presence, so

expectations were understandably high.

When the Last Dance World Tour announced a Glasgow date, I jumped at the chance to

attend - especially with Jason telling the crowd this would be his final tour, marking the end of an era.

Whether that announcement is genuine or a clever marketing move remains to be

seen. It could just as easily be a transition into a new musical direction. Either way, the

concept of the tour leaned heavily into a futuristic aesthetic, from encouraging fans to wear metallic outfits to the striking stage visuals - which, side note, felt very AI-driven at times.

Musically, the night delivered on nostalgia. We heard all the big hitters: Swalla, Wiggle, Ridin’ Solo, Talk Dirty, Breathing, Tip Toe - if you’ve had a Jason Derulo song on repeat at any point over the last decade, chances are it made the setlist. Hearing those tracks live,

surrounded by a crowd who clearly knew every word, was a great experience and a

reminder of just how many hits he’s amassed over the years.

But again, the recurring issue of lip syncing took away from those moments. When a tour is billed as a farewell, fans expect a deeper connection - raw vocals, emotional moments, and a sense of gratitude between artist and audience. Instead, parts of the show felt more like a perfectly rehearsed performance than a live, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

If this truly is Jason Derulo’s last tour, perhaps the toll of years on the road is finally showing.

His work ethic and output over the years can’t be denied, and his influence on pop music isundeniable. Still, the opening night of a world tour - especially one branded as a farewell should feel special, and sadly, this one didn’t quite hit the emotional or vocal highs many fans were hoping for.

That said, I finally got to tick a Jason Derulo concert off my list and hear some of my

favourite playlist staples live. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t what I expected from a worldwide superstar.

Visial spectacular, yes, but ultimately lacking the live vocal performance that

would’ve elevated it from a good show to a truly memorable one.