I was so excited to see the Sugababes — but 1 thing made me feel sorry for them

Say what you like about pop music in the noughties but you can't deny that it was one of the most iconic periods for crafting classic hits. And although there were many artists that failed to stand the test of time, certain acts have since proved their longevity — and the are a classic example.

Formed way back in 1998, teens Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhán Donaghy took the pop by storm with their infectious debut single Overload. The group certainly suffered its hardships - with the lineup changing countless times over the years — but the original trio is back and better than ever on their first ever arena tour.

Being a huge fan and a sucker for nostalgia, I jumped at the chance to attend their show at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow last week. But unfortunately, there was one thing that was really disheartening to see — and it made me feel sorry for the girls.

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The trio kicked off their hit-packed setlist with that very first single of theirs, appearing from behind a curtain that dramatically fell to the floor, much to the delight of fans, myself included. I'd seen people all over TikTok complaining about their lack of energy and choreography, especially during this song, but the energy of the crowd was infectious enough that the vibes were good regardless.

This continued as they followed up with hits such as Red Dress and Hole in the Head, but something bizarre happened after the first 20 minutes or so.

The audience — or those around me in the standing area anyway — just seemed to switch off. There was no singing along or dancing as the girls continued through a selection of hits from their first album, and instead, people took to yelling to their friends over the music or going on their phones instead.

I'm fully aware that not everybody is going to know every word to every song — I certainly don't — but surely if you've paid to come and see a show the least you can do is pay attention. I thought this was especially unfair for the original lineup, as it seemed to be during their earliest work that the crowd seemed to switch off the most.

Maybe it was simply where I was standing, but the energy levels just seemed so low for such a fun concert. It was a bank holiday Friday the following day and you're in the presence of one of the most exciting girl groups from that era — and I feel like they deserved so much more than what the crowd was giving.

That being said, things fortunately perked up towards the end of their set. Hits such as Push the Button, About You Now and even a cover of 90s classic Flowers by Sweet Female Attitude got the crowd going again, so at least the night ended on a high.

But it's something I've noticed more and more going to concerts after the Covid era. Whether that's in a massive venue like the Hydro or a smaller grassroots one, being on your phone or chatting 24/7 just feels disrespectful not only to the artist you're watching but your fellow concertgoers too.

We're all there for the same reason - to enjoy great music and have a good time - and I understand it can add to the buzz and excitement of the evening, but at the same time, the best way to really enjoy it is to live in the moment, be present and just have fun with it.