United Kingdom
Argentina 
Australia 
Austria 
Brazil 
Canada 
Germany 
Ireland 
Italy 
Malaysia 
Mexico 
New Zealand 
Poland 
South Africa 
United States Who's performing on Jools Holland's Hootenanny and what time it's on BBC Two tonight
Every December since 1993, he sees out the year with a studio full of guests from the music industry.
Despite strict coronavirus restrictions this New Year, Jools Holland will still be hosting his annual Hootenanny to welcome in 2021.
But who will be joining him in the studio and what can we expect? Here’s what we know.
What is Jools Holland’s Hootenanny special?The musician and TV presenter hosts an end-of-year special of his BBC2 show Later… with Jools Holland which usually airs between 11pm on New Year’s Eve and 1am on New Year’s Day.
On the show, Jools plays host to many famous faces from the pop, rock, classical, folk and jazz world as well as guest stars appearing in the audience.
There is also a countdown to midnight, followed by a traditional rendition of Auld Lang Syne.
Is it live?No, the show is pre-recorded, usually at the beginning of December, but is presented as it was going out live.
The BBC have admitted the show is an “idealised New Year’s Eve party with a line-up that would surely be impossible to deliver on 31 December”.
He will reunite with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and they will be joined by BBC’s Sound of 2020 Celeste as well as Sir Tom Jones who will be performing “a good dose of 1950s rock ’n’ roll”.
Also along for the Hootenanny ride will be 2020 Mercury Prize winner Michael Kiwanuka, Irish singer-songwriter and formerly one half of Moloko, Roisin Murphy, songwriter, producer and keyboard player Rick Wakeman and Squeeze’s Chris Difford.
How did they manage to adhere to social distancing rules?Fans of the show will be familiar with the format and most of the artists who perform are spread out around the studio.
Speaking to The Scotsman in September, Holland said he wanted to go ahead with Hootenanny this year, albeit with a smaller line up.
He said: “We want to have one. Also, I think the country wants to have New Year’s Eve.
“We are planning to do something. It might have to be scaled back because of the amount of people we would be allowed to have in the studio. But it’s good to have the year marked, so we can move on to the next year.”
When does it air?Jools’ Annual Hootenanny will broadcast on BBC2 from 11.15pm on Thursday 31 December until 1.15am on Friday 1 January.
