Glasgow's Hoolie in the Hydro reveals tribute to Billy Connolly

The National

28-04-2025

Returning to the venue for the fourth year, The Hoolie in the Hydro will be taking place on Saturday, December 13
Celebrating the Big Yin's comedy and folk music, the night has a line-up of 'windswept and interesting' musicians ready to share their favourite songs.
(Image: Newsquest)Forming the finale of the Hoolie, audiences can expect Glasgow and Scottish talent to perform their favourite of Connolly's songs, including I Wish I Was in Glasgow and Glasgow Central.
The celebration marks 60 years since Connolly formed the three-piece folk band The Humblebums and coincides with Glasgow's 850th birthday celebrations.
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The Hoolie's organiser, broadcaster and musician Gary Innes, collaborated with The Big Yin himself as well as the performer's family.
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.
(Image: Newsquest)
'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.'
Scottish fiddler Aly Bain is one of the performers already confirmed to be taking part in the tribute.
Bain played alongside Connolly and is 'really looking forward to celebrating' his life and times.
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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 more than 50 years of friendship and countless great memories.'
Elsewhere on the line-up, Elephant Sessions (below) will be making their OVO Hydro debut with their award-winning combination of trad, funk, and electronica.
Six-piece ceilidh folk band Trail West will be returning to The Hoolie after performing at the inaugural 2022 event, coming off the back of two sold-out shows in the Barrowlands Ballroom.
Supergroup Mànran will bring their traditional-modern combination of folk rock and mix of Gaelic and English songs back to Glasgow.
Beluga Lagoon round off the so-far-announced acts for the Hoolie. The musical project of wildlife filmmaker and cameraman Andrew O'Donnell, Beluga Lagoon's music centres the beauty of the Scottish landscape.
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Innes said: '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.'
Earlier this month, the concept travelled across the pond for the Hoolie in New York.
Mànran, Julie Fowlis, Dougie MacLean and other Scottish stars took to the stage in one of the most prestigious music venues in the world, Carnegie Hall, for a night of traditional Scottish music.
You can find tickets and further information about The Hoolie in the Hydro: The Big Yin here.