Where are Scotland's super-gigs?

Rock bands such as Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band will be playing a series of supersized gigs in the UK this summer. However, not one of these acts will venture north to perform in Scotland.

In recent years, Hampden Park in Glasgow and Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh have hosted major rock acts such as Kings of Leon, Oasis and Bon Jovi, but only Madonna will grace the stage at the latter this year.

Oasis Live at Hampden

The closest the three major acts touring this year will get to Scotland will be the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. In these austere times where concert tickets continue to rocket in price, more and more large gigs are struggling to shift tickets.

With a population that is roughly ten times that of Scotland, it makes fiscal sense for concert promoters to hold gigs in England, where they can bank on greater potential ticket sales from the higher populace and the loyalty of Scottish fans to make the trek south to watch their favourite bands.

Maybe Scotland’s reputation for violence precedes it? Since violence erupted at Oasis’ headline gig at Murrayfield in 2009, Kings of Leon have been the only rock band to play a Scottish stadium. Are stadium owner’s targeting more family-friendly acts like Take That, Pink and Neil Diamond to combat the negative publicity?


Olympic football has most likely been a major factor in Hampden not hosting any big concerts this year. With the tournament set to take place at Scotland’s National Stadium between 25 July and 3 August, there will be tremendous pressure on Hampden officials to make sure the pitch is in pristine condition.


Hopefully a return to an Olypmics-free summer next year will see major acts return to Scotland for more massive gigs.  

More info on past concerts at Hampden