Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain will join the bill for Hoolie in the Hydro, performing together in public for the first time in three years at the OVO Hydro on Saturday 12 December 2026.
The duo’s partnership has spanned four decades. Aly is marking his 80th birthday and received the Edinburgh Award this week, while Phil has reached 50 years in music. Organiser Gary Innes called them “two absolute giants of the Scottish trad scene” and said their return is “the icing on the cake” of the line-up.
This is the fifth edition of Scotland’s biggest night of traditional music. Last year’s Hoolie in the Hydro was themed The Big Yin and co-hosted by Martin Compston and Julie Fowlis. The 2026 show is billed as Local Hero, celebrating the musicians, personalities and unsung heroes shaping Scotland’s cultural landscape.
Tickets are on sale at ovohydro.com. Standard prices run from £42.25 to £64.95, with venue premium seats from £67.45 to £72.45, all including an admin fee plus fulfilment. Doors are at 5.30pm, with event times still to be confirmed. Accessible tickets can be booked online or on 0141 576 3230, Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm.
The line-up already includes Beluga Lagoon, Mànran, Donnie Munro, Karine Polwart, Dougie MacLean and others. The night is hosted by Julie Fowlis and Traitors star Stephen Libby.
Gary Innes picked up the SEC Promoter of the Year award at the Scottish Music Awards last week, in recognition of Hoolie’s success. He said the appetite for traditional music “shows no signs of slowing down” and that what began as “a big, possibly mad, idea” has become a Christmas tradition for many.
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!”
The Local Hero theme also honours people nominated by the public. They include Nan Johnstone, the driving force behind the Oban High School Pipe Band for almost 20 years, and Highland man Lachlan Campbell, who has lived with Motor Neurone Disease for almost five years and has raised £40,000 for MND charities. Long-time volunteers Janette Green and Margaret Daniels from Clackmannanshire are also being recognised, along with Maureen Lavin, who runs a baby donation bank in Fort William, and Mull bin lorry driver Colin Morrison, who has raised over £50,000 for local groups and good causes.
Record-breaking rowers The MacLean Brothers and charity fundraiser Craig Ferguson will also join the night. Beatson Cancer Charity is this year’s official charity partner.
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