Scottish folk duo Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain have been announced for the star-studded Hoolie in the Hydro - Scotland’s single biggest night of traditional music.
The pair will perform in public for the first time in three years at the OVO Hydro on Saturday 12 December, for what promises to be a memorable moment.
The traditional music legends’ creative partnership has spanned four decades and their anticipated return comes in a milestone year for both artists.
Prestigious
Aly is celebrating his 80th birthday and received the prestigious Edinburgh Award this week, while Phil has reached 50 years in music.
Last week Hydro organiser Gary Innes picked up the SEC Promoter of the Year at the Scottish Music Awards in recognition of Hoolie’s success.
Now just weeks away, the fifth edition is gearing up to welcome some of the biggest names in Scottish trad music including Beluga Lagoon, Mànran, Donnie Munro, Karine Polwart, Dougie MacLean and many more.
Hosted by acclaimed vocalist Julie Fowlis and Traitors star Stephen Libby, Hoolie will welcome thousands of fans as it celebrates all things Local Hero, including the musicians, personalities and unsung heroes shaping Scotland’s cultural landscape.
Record-breaking rowers The MacLean Brothers and charity fundraiser Craig Ferguson are among the inspirational Scots set to join the festivities, while Beatson Cancer Charity is this year’s official charity partner.
We are so delighted to have been invited to join in the Hoolie! What a great way to mark our 40 year milestone, and to get together with pals, old and new and make some noise at this now legendary event. See you there! - Phil Cunningham
Hoolie in the Hydro organiser, broadcaster and musician Gary Innes, said: “I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Phil and Aly to Hoolie this year – two absolute giants of the Scottish trad scene.
“I know it’s going to be such a treat for us all to see them perform on stage once again and really is the icing on the cake of an incredible Hoolie in the Hydro line up.
“It’s almost time to fill Scotland’s biggest village hall once again and the excitement is building as we count down to this special Local Hero edition.
“I would like to extend a big, warm welcome to our Local Heroes, who were deservingly nominated by the public and represent the very best of Scottish kindness and spirit. We can’t wait to have each of them with us on the night.
“Heading towards our fifth edition in and the appetite for the Hoolie and for traditional music in Scotland shows no signs of slowing down. What started as a big, possibly mad, idea has become somewhat of a Christmas tradition for so many and I’m incredibly proud of that. See you all soon!”
Phil Cunningham said: ”We are so delighted to have been invited to join in the Hoolie! What a great way to mark our 40 year milestone, and to get together with pals, old and new and make some noise at this now legendary event. See you there!”
Hoolie in the Hydro - Local Hero takes place at the OVO Hydro on Saturday 12 December 2026.
- Tickets are on sale at https://www.ovohydro.com/events/detail/hoolie-in-the-hydro-2026.
