It simply wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve in the UK without the raucous, soulful spectacle of Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny. As clocks ticked down on December 31, 2025, viewers across the country tuned in to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer for the latest installment of this beloved musical tradition, which has been ringing in the new year since 1994. Once again, the show brought together a dazzling array of legendary performers, chart-topping stars, and up-and-coming talent, all led by Jools Holland and his ever-energetic Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.
Despite the illusion of live celebration, the Hootenanny is actually pre-recorded at Maidstone Studios. The BBC describes it as "an idealised New Year's Eve party with a line-up that would surely be impossible to deliver on 31 December"—and indeed, the seamless countdown to midnight and vibrant party atmosphere are all part of the show’s carefully crafted charm. Tickets for this sought-after event are distributed by the BBC on a first-come, first-served basis, making attendance a hot commodity for music lovers.
Kicking off at 11:30 PM on New Year’s Eve and running until 1:00 AM on the first day of 2026, this year’s Hootenanny boasted a line-up that read like a who’s who of British music. According to The Sun and BBC, the show’s roster included Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood, soul icon Lulu, Essex-born pop powerhouse Jessie J, R&B and garage star Craig David, M People’s Heather Small, rising chart sensation Olivia Dean, indie favorites The Kooks, jazz and blues singer Imelda May, Mercury Prize-shortlisted pianist Joe Webb, Berlin swing artist David Hermlin, and the queen of boogie-woogie herself, Ruby Turner.
Ronnie Wood, fresh from celebrating an astonishing 60 years in music, took to the stage to perform songs from his anthology Fearless. His presence was a highlight for many, with Luke Pritchard of The Kooks sharing with The Sun, “It was a bit of a reunion with Ronnie because we toured with them before. Playing She Moves In Her Own Way after Ronnie and Jools’ band doing Ooh La La — I listened to that song every day while I was writing She Moves In Her Own Way, it was such a big influence.”
Olivia Dean, whose 2025 album The Art of Loving broke chart records, delivered a series of hits with her band and joined Jools for a soulful rendition of Natalie Cole’s 1975 debut, "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)." Her meteoric rise was one of the year’s music stories, and her Hootenanny performance only cemented her status as a star to watch.
Scottish legend Lulu, with a career spanning decades, revisited two of her most iconic tracks: her 1974 take on David Bowie’s "The Man Who Sold the World" and her 1993 chart-topper "Relight My Fire," originally a collaboration with Take That. These performances bridged generations and genres, reminding audiences of her enduring appeal.
Jessie J, who made a much-anticipated return in 2025 with her sixth studio album Don’t Tease Me with a Good Time, wowed the crowd with "Living My Best Life"—a Radio 2 favorite—and a heartfelt rendition of a Frank Sinatra classic. Her performance was especially poignant, with Luke Pritchard noting, “Jessie J blew me away. It was very emotional. She was very open about her cancer treatment and when she sang, it just got me.”
Craig David, marking the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut Born to Do It, treated fans to tracks from both that album and his latest, Commitment. His return to the Hootenanny stage was a nostalgic moment for viewers who remembered his first appearance back in 2000, the year his debut was released.
Heather Small, the unmistakable voice behind M People’s 90s dance anthems, got the party moving with "Moving On Up" and the uplifting "Search for the Hero." Her performances brought a surge of energy to the show, inspiring both audience members and viewers at home to get up and dance.
The Kooks, whose 2006 debut Inside In/Inside Out sold over two million copies, performed classics from that album in anticipation of its 20th anniversary, as well as a track from their latest release, Never/Know. Their set was a reminder of the band’s staying power and knack for writing catchy, timeless tunes.
Jazz, soul, and boogie-woogie were well represented, too. Imelda May joined Jools and his band for a moving version of Billie Holiday’s "Now or Never," while Welsh pianist Joe Webb shared a special duet at the piano. David Hermlin, hailing from Berlin, kept the swing tradition alive with Louis Armstrong’s "Jeepers Creepers." And, as always, Ruby Turner brought the house down with her signature boogie-woogie flair.
No Hootenanny would be complete without a touch of pageantry, and this year the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards helped ring in the new year with their stirring performance. The party atmosphere, both on stage and in the audience, was palpable. The Mirror’s Showbiz Editor Mark Jefferies provided a glimpse behind the scenes, describing how Jools “asks us to be quiet when the artists sing and cheer as loud as possible at the end. If you feel the urge to dance and physically move, that is marvellous. Everyone is looking very beautiful, and we’ve some incredible musical guests.”
While the main event was meticulously organized, the aftershow was a different story—looser, more spontaneous, and just as memorable. Luke Pritchard recalled, “It got a little bit loose. There were bagpipes in the aftershow, which was hilarious. We were all partying to bagpipes. They get a bad rep – for short bursts, it’s quite exciting and vibey.”
For fans unable to score tickets, watching at home has become its own cherished ritual. The show’s blend of nostalgia, discovery, and pure fun ensures its place as the country’s unofficial soundtrack to New Year’s Eve. As the BBC and The Sun both emphasize, the Hootenanny is more than just a concert—it’s a celebration of music’s power to bring people together, year after year, as one year ends and another begins.
With another successful Hootenanny in the books, Jools Holland and his ever-evolving line-up have once again proven that great music and good company are the perfect way to welcome a new year—whether you’re in the studio audience or dancing in your living room.
