Sparked by a Facebook post by musician and BBC broadcaster, Gary Innes, in early 2020, Hoolie in the Hydro first took place in Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on Saturday 17th December 2022. The event was a world-first, marking the first time an arena had been hired by an individual in the UK to showcase a night completely dedicated to traditional music.
Following a hugely successful inaugural event and backed by popular demand, Hoolie in the Hydro returned the following year, on Saturday 9th December 2023. This event broke its own sales record and welcomed over 10,000 people to the OVO Hydro, and finished with a celebration of 50 years of Runrig.
Hoolie in the Hydro returned for a third year on Saturday 7th December 2024 to commemorate 100 years of traditional music. The event featured a star-studded line-up of some of Scotland most loved traditional music artists.
Hoolie in the Hydro will be back on Saturday 13th December 2025, and will feature a tribute to Sir Billy Connolly, celebrating his humour and his love and affinity for folk music.
...the big yin!
...the big yin!
Hoolie in the Hydro: The Big Yin
Scotland’s biggest night of traditional music will return this December, featuring a tribute to Glasgow comedy and folk music legend Sir Billy Connolly, with 2025 marking 60 years since he formed the beloved Humblebums. Hoolie in the Hydro: The Big Yin will feature a ‘windswept and interesting’ cast of musicians celebrating Billy, his humour and his love and affinity for folk music. The tribute will form the finale of the spectacular night and audiences can expect stand-out Glasgow and Scottish talent to share their favourite Big Yin songs like I Wish I Was in Glasgow and Glasgow Central.
Hoolie in the Hydro organiser, broadcaster and musician Gary Innes, said: “Billy Connolly is a true Glasgow and Scottish hero and his big personality, love for folk music and the joy of people coming together to have a great time, really made him the perfect inspiration for this year’s Hoolie in the Hydro. It’s 60 years since Billy formed the Humblebums and 2025 is Glasgow’s 850th birthday – as one of the city’s great success stories and most famous sons, we just had to tip our hat to the Big Yin. We’ll have some fabulous names to announce in the coming months who will join us for the tribute and share their most treasured Billy songs – I can’t wait to see the Hydro all singing and laughing along this December. I’m also delighted to have some of the brightest names on the Scottish traditional music scene join the bill and showcase the energy, ambition and fun to be found on the folk scene today so come join us for a good bit of nonsense and the ultimate celebration of Glasgow.”
Renowned Scottish fiddler Aly Bain, who played alongside Sir Billy for years, will be part of the tribute. He said: “Billy and I started our careers on a motorbike with a sidecar, and things only got better from there. Since then, Billy and I have shared over 50 years of friendship and countless great memories. He’s a very special man and friend, and I’m really looking forward to celebrating the incredible life and times of my old pal at the Hydro.”
The fourth Hoolie in the Hydro will also feature a stellar line up from across Scotland’s vibrant folk and traditional music scene. The sensational Elephant Sessions will bring their high-octane live show to the OVO Hydro for the first time. Explosive six-piece Trail West will also take to the stage, having played the event’s debut edition in 2022 and again in 2023. Renowned supergroup Mànran will also bring their electrifying live performance to Hoolie in the Hydro once again. Finally, one of the most original and compelling acts in the Scottish music scene, Beluga Lagoon has also been announced as part of the bill.
