A CONCERT to celebrate Glasgow's hosting of the Commonwealth Games could be held at its new Hydro arena next year.

The event will be the centrepiece of the Celtic Connections festival, which will expand into the £125million venue.

The concert will dwarf the scale of any of the shows previously held at the festival, now in its 20th year.

The 7000-capacity Emirates Arena, near Celtic Park, is also being looked at for a flagship event.

The biggest concerts at the festival are currently held at the 2000-capacity Royal Concert Hall and Barrowland Ballroom, which can take 1900 spectators.

With an audience of 1 visitors each year, The Hydro is to have a capacity of 12,000 and aims to be one of the world's top five indoor music arenas.

Artistic director of Celtic Connections Donald Shaw said: "I really like the idea, right in the middle of the festival, of having a centrepiece gig that would be held somewhere like the Hydro.

"It needs to be the right thing, where it feels special enough."

The Hydro, which is on the site of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, has secured sponsorship from Scottish Hydro, Heineken, Coca-Cola and ScotRail and is expected to host about 140 events each year.

Projections suggest the venue has the potential to generate £131m for Glasgow.

This year's Celtic Connections was sold out well in advance, with Julie Fowlis, Eddi Reader and Capercaillie among the performers.

Mr Shaw has hinted that he may leave the festival after eight years, saying someone new would programme the festival probably in a "fresher way".

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk