While the rest of the nation waits for the clock to strike twelve, a select few have already celebrated the arrival of 2026. The secret? An invitation to the legendary recording of Jools Holland's Annual Hootenanny, where the New Year is rung in weeks early inside a West London TV studio.
The Magic Behind the Midnight Moment
At 8.47pm on December 10th, inside Versa Studios, the atmosphere was electric. Guests were on their feet, singing and dancing as if it were genuinely the last moment of the year. "I've only had two bottles of beer but I am on my feet singing and dancing along without a care in the world," observed one attendee. The illusion was complete: it was midnight on New Year's Eve, created with the help of free-flowing drinks and a palpable sense of occasion.
Executive Producer Alison Howe revealed the key ingredient is the audience's willingness to believe. "You kind of enter into a magical world where you forget about what's happening outside the doors," she explained. Guests are offered drinks from a free bar—a rarity for the BBC—and later given prosecco to toast the fabricated midnight, which occurs roughly 30 minutes after the music begins.
A Stellar Line-Up and Nervous Stars
This year's 33rd edition boasts a formidable bill of artists. The roster includes Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, Olivia Dean, Craig David, Lulu, and Jessie J. They are joined by The Kooks, Heather Small, Imelda May, and the 1st Battalion Scots Guards.
For the musicians, the invitation is both an honour and a nerve-wracking experience. Luke Pritchard, frontman of The Kooks, admitted, "It's quite nerve-racking but in the best way. Hootenanny's not just another gig, it's THE New Year's show." He reflected on the privilege of providing the soundtrack to viewers' celebrations, whether it's a midnight kiss or a kitchen dance with a grandparent.
The show's running order is a carefully crafted puzzle. Alison Howe noted that several versions of the set list exist, with the final line-up only being decided on the recording day itself to ensure the perfect mix.
Jools Holland: The Unstoppable Ringmaster
For three non-stop hours, Jools Holland is a whirlwind of energy. He greets A-list guests, introduces acts, plays piano with his band, and conducts interviews within the crowd. His only navigational aids are whiteboards displaying names and directions, helping him steer around the studio's giant circular layout.
Describing the relentless pace, Holland likened it to diving into a pool. "You just throw yourself in and it's all right, really, once the water's OK and you start swimming, you keep the momentum going," he said. The aim is to film in one seamless take to preserve the authentic energy. "There's a few little mistakes in there, but who cares? It is what it is," he added with characteristic charm.
A standout moment for Holland was performing with Olivia Dean, who joined him for a rendition of Natalie Cole's 'This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)'. He praised her remarkable year, noting her jump from clubs to selling out global stadiums. He also credited his own band, who undertake intense preparation to learn and arrange music for all the guest artists, often rehearsing in hotel rooms before a single full-day studio practice.
Jools' Annual Hootenanny airs on BBC2 and BBC iPlayer at 11.30pm on New Year's Eve, offering the British public their traditional, joyous welcome to 2026.
