Today it hosts some of the world’s most popular bands and singers, but Glasgow’s O2 Academy was not always known for its sell-out concerts.

The Gorbals building originally served as a church, and it reopened in 1921 as the Bedford cinema. The venue seated over 2000 film fans per show, but it was fairly unremarkable to look at until it underwent a major makeover.

It was remodelled in its now-iconic Art Deco style and made its debut as the New Bedford cinema, opening to the public on Boxing Day 1932.

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The final screening at the New Bedford was a double showing of Dirty Harry and Kluke in 1973. It was given a new lease of life when it opened a few months later as a bingo hall.

While it changed its look and purpose over the years, the New Bedford became a treasured part of Glasgow’s architecture, and it was designated as a category B listed building by Historic Scotland.

The biggest change of all would happen at the turn of the 21st century when the McKenzie group bought it over to transform it into a concert venue. They spent £3 million restoring the almost 200-year-old building, which had fallen into disrepair, and in 2003 it became the Carling Academy.

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Holding 2500 people, the opening of the Carling Academy in 2003 was marked with performances by Deacon Blue, Bryan Ferry and the Sugababes, and over the years the academy has seen some momentous musical moments.

The Killers’ gig in 2006 famously sold out in three minutes, and American soul legend James Brown performed his final UK gig in the same year.

It was rebranded in 2008 after O2 announced that they were sponsoring all Academy venues in the UK, including the O2 ABC on Sauchiehall Street which closed in 2018 due to an extensive fire which caused its roof to collapse.