While I certainly wish the Hydro in Glasgow every success, I doubt if I'll be there often ("Hydro is nearly ready, we just need a Rod", The Herald, September 27).

For me, the "posh" venues with plush seating, such as Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and the Clyde Auditorium, are antiseptic and lack atmosphere, certainly when rock and roots artists are appearing. Admittedly the acoustics and sightlines are usually excellent, but being stuck in a seat when Wilco, for example, played at the Concert Hall two years ago made for a slightly stilted experience.

Similarly, the superb Gillian Welch and David Rawlings at the Armadillo a couple of years ago were questioning why the audience was so quiet. Big, comfy seats can have a soporific effect. The duo had played the Barrowland on a previous occasion and found it memorable.

It is a personal thing but I'd rather be standing (I believe the Hydro may have such an area) at the inimitable Barrowland or its slightly smarter counterpart, the 02 ABC, when the music is of the rockier type.

However, I've got a seated ticket for Queens of the Stone Age at the Hydro in November, so I will report back.

Mike Ritchie,

21 Fotheringay Road,

Pollokshields,

Glasgow.