Hoolie at the Hydro
Ellen Francis
OVO Hydro, Glasgow, 13/12/2025
Hoolie at the Hydro
There’s something to be said for waiting for a gig in the bitter cold, anticipating the warmth that will unfurl once you’re inside. Hoolie in Hydro 2025 brought together a massive and diverse crowd in Glasgow, united by the sounds of traditional music and the electric energy of live performance.
The night kicked off with neo-trad quintet, Elephant Sessions, with their grungy-rhythmic numbers and up-beat energetic sets. While the crowd started off mellow, although there was some two stepping and hand flicking, there was an undeniable buzz building as people slowly started shaking off the outside world (and temperature). Euan Smillie, fiddle, had a magnetic presence and a generous sound that feels like it coats your skin. The band’s versatility was refreshing and the perfect way to start a big night. Despite the all-black outfits worn by many of the male bands, an aesthetic that has stapled itself to the scene in recent years, the evening was far from monochrome.
Throughout the night, award-winning Gaelic superstar Julie Fowlis and Scottish acting icon Martin Compston delivered a warm and engaging double act while introducing each band. Their chemistry on stage was infectious, setting the tone for what came next - Trail West, who received an overwhelming welcome from the crowd. Trail West’s set was a stand-out, not just for the quality of music but the shift in the room when people were given an opportunity to sing back. Their chirpy but grounded songs brought a sense of unity to the crowd; people started popping up on shoulders, the middle-front crowd started vibrating, people started letting go. It was clear Trail West had the people in the palm of their hands.
Beluga Lagoon elevated the night further with their layered instrumentals and folkloric flavour, offering something essential and different for the crowd. Andrew O’Donnell’s earthy growls and Beti Scott’s haunting vocals created a portal to an older world we could reach into.