GLASGOW will play host to the world's biggest ceilidh later this year.
The Hoolie in the Hydro will take place at the city's OVO Hydro on December 17, 2022.
Broadcaster and musician Gary Innes is organising the event and hopes it will be the first of many for traditional music.
Gary said: “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.
"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."
Gary added: "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 idea stemmed from a Facebook post in which Gary suggested that if half of the people who had ‘liked’ his page bought a ticket for the Hydro, they could have the world’s biggest ceilidh.
Once he reached 20,000 likes, Gary booked the Hydro for the event which honours and celebrates Scottish and Irish traditional music.
The night will feature some star-studded guests including Caledonia singer Dougie Maclean, Celtic-rock sensations Mànran, Ireland’s Sharon Shannon Band, award-winning Scottish outfit Skerryvore and Trail West.
Martin Gillespie, of Skerryvore, said: “This is going to be an incredible night, 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.
"I don’t think they’ll have ever seen a party like it and I can’t wait to be a part of that.”
Kim Carnie, of Mànran, said: “This night has the potential to be one of the biggest moments for Scotland’s traditional music scene. It is an incredible opportunity to make history as the genre takes to the country’s biggest stage.
"This night will mark the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from the bands who have come before us and inspired us to do what we do, as well as the work of those who promote and have promoted our culture, music and languages.
"It really shows how much traditional music has grown in popularity over the last three decades. It is certainly an exciting night to be a part of.”
Tickets can be purchased HERE.
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