Comedy legend Sir Billy Connolly will be celebrated at Scotland’s biggest night of traditional music in Glasgow later this year.
A Billy Connolly Tribute will form the finale of the spectacular Hoolie in the Hydro night at the OVO Hydro in December.
Hoolie in the Hydro: The Big Yin will take place in the city’s biggest venue on Saturday 13 December, as a ‘windswept and interesting’ cast of musicians pay tribute to Billy, his humour and his love and affinity for folk music.
With a star-studded bill for the Billy tribute to be announced, the line up of singers will play their part in marking 60 years since Sir Billy formed the Humblebums and pay tribute to one of Glasgow’s most iconic sons as the city celebrates its 850th birthday.
Sir Billy was entrenched in the Glasgow folk scene in the 1960s, regularly playing sessions in the Scotia Bar and releasing music as one half of the Humblebums.
Hoolie in the Hydro organiser, broadcaster and musician Gary Innes, who got permission for the tribute from Sir Billy and his family, 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.”
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 – Gary Innes
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.”
Now in its fourth year, Hoolie in the Hydro has quickly become known as the world’s biggest ceilidh and will once again 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, along with six-piece Trail West.
Renowned supergroup Mànran will also bring their electrifying live performance to Hoolie in the Hydro once again.
And one of the most original and compelling acts in the Scottish music scene, Beluga Lagoon has been announced as part of the bill.
Hoolie in the Hydro was born out of an ambition to bring Scotland’s own music to its biggest stage, and share the genre-bending diversity and electric atmosphere of live contemporary traditional music with the world.
Earlier this month, the concept travelled across the Atlantic with the inaugural and hugely successful Hoolie in New York which saw Mànran, Julie Fowlis, Dougie MacLean and other Scottish stars take over one of the most prestigious music venues in the world, Carnegie Hall.
Hoolie in the Hydro: The Big Yin will take place on Saturday 13th December 2025 and tickets are on sale now at www.ovohydro.com/events/detail/hoolie-in-the-hydro-2025.
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