THE world’s biggest ceilidh is scheduled to take place at Glasgow’s Ovo Hydro this winter, with some of Scotland and Ireland’s top musicians set to provide the music.
The world-first event makes the only time an area has been hired by an individual in the UK to showcase a night completely dedicated to trad music.
Gary Innes (below), the broadcaster and musician organising the Hoolie in the Hydro event, was inspired to go for it after posting a tongue-in-cheek Facebook comment.
In 2020, Innes reached 20,000 likes on his Facebook page – and posted a status joking that if half of those people bought a ticket for the Hydro, the world’s biggest ceilidh could be arranged.
When he prompted huge amounts of support for the suggestion, Innes decided to get stuck in and book Scotland’s biggest indoor venue.
Now Innes hopes the event, set for December 17, will be the start of something special for trad music.
“I appreciate that putting a show of this size and scale during the current times is a bold move, but I also genuinely believe that traditional music has a place on the country’s biggest stages,” he explained.
“Someone always has to go first, and my hope is that Hoolie in the Hydro will pave the way for other traditional musicians to take the gamble and start booking shows on a similar scale.
“Once the door is opened and people see that it can be done, I don’t see any reason why traditional music can’t be showcased throughout the year on stages like The Ovo Hydro.
“This world-first event is set to be the biggest night of traditional music that Scotland has ever seen. I can’t wait to have thousands of people join us for what’s sure to be a serious party and a history-making moment.”
The musicians joining the huge celebration include Dougie Maclean (above), Manran, Sharon Shannon Band, Skerryvore and Trail West. An all-star ceilidh band will kick off the night, while e a host of special guests will bring things to a close.
Martin Gillespie of Skerryvore said he expects an “incredible” experience.
“It will be amazing to perform on the Hydro stage and it will be a pinnacle moment for the trad music scene as we take the country’s biggest arena by storm,” he said. “I don’t think they’ll have ever seen a party like it and I can’t wait to be a part of that.”
Hoolie in the Hydro takes place on Saturday December 17, 2022, and tickets are on sale now here.
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