There are few acts in the UK electronic scene who command as much respect, or as much chaos, as Chase & Status. With a career that spans nearly two decades, the duo have mastered the art of turning venues into warzones of bass, lights, and high-octane energy. Their stop at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on this latest tour was no exception, it was a celebration of their legacy, a showcase of future talent, and an all-out barrage of bangers. But while the energy never dipped, the experience didn’t quite rattle the bones the way it should have.
From the moment the lights dimmed and the first drop landed, the Hydro was a frenzy. Fans were packed in, arms raised, ready to 2-step their way into the night. Chase & Status wasted no time, firing through a relentless setlist that paid homage to their roots while flexing their newer collaborations. The chemistry between the duo and their guest performers was electric throughout.
Ethan Holt, who’s rapidly building a name in the scene, brought youthful fire to the stage, holding his own in front of a massive Glasgow crowd. Moko’s vocals soared, raw, soulful, and spine-tingling. Flowdan brought the grit, commanding every inch of the stage with his signature growl and machine-gun flow. But it was Clementine Douglas who truly stopped time. Her performance of Mixed Emotions sent chills down the spine, showing a level of polish and emotion that stood out even amongst the chaos. She’s a generational talent, no doubt. 
Visually, the show was stunning with immersive lighting design, strobes that matched every drop, and screens that twisted and pulsed with every beat. Chase & Status don’t do things by halves, and this was no exception. The crowd responded in kind, with mosh pits breaking out, and thousands singing along to anthems like Blind Faith, End Credits, and Baddadan. It was rowdy, euphoric, and full of the kind of collective energy that only the Scottish can provide.
And yet, there was something missing.
While the Hydro is a state-of-the-art venue, with all the bells and whistles when it comes to sound and visuals, it just didn’t quite deliver on one crucial element: bass. For a drum and bass show, that deep, physical low-end is everything. You don’t just hear Chase & Status, you’re meant to feel them. The floor should be vibrating, the air thick with sub frequencies. By the end of the night, your ears should be ringing and your body still pulsing with adrenaline. But at the Hydro, the sound, though crisp and well-mixed, lacked that gut-punch impact. It was all just a little too polished, a bit too clean. That edge, that rumble, that wildness that defines the genre… it needed more.
That said, this was still a night to remember. Chase & Status proved once again why they’re titans of the scene — and why their ability to evolve, collaborate, and curate makes them unstoppable. Glasgow showed up loud and proud, and the energy in the room was undeniable. But here’s hoping the next time they roll through, the system gets a little dirtier, a little heavier, and brings the kind of bass that truly does justice to the kings of drum and bass.
