The renowned British TV personality and pianist, Jools Holland, is set to host his iconic Annual Hootenanny show on BBC Two on December 31, 2023, continuing a tradition that started in 1993 as the New Year’s Eve edition of his popular TV show Later… with Jools Holland.
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny promises to be an extraordinary celebration to welcome 2024, featuring Jools and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, along with a stellar lineup of musical guests.
This ultimate New Year’s Eve party will be streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK, and you can join in on the fun as well by reading this blog and learning how to watch Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in Europe for free.
How to watch Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in Europe for free?
There’s an easy way to watch Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in Europe for free. All you need to do is get a premium VPN subscription and change your virtual location to the UK to access BBC iPlayer, where the special event will officially be streaming for free in the UK.
It might’ve gone over your head like a bouncer if you’re new to this. Don’t worry, folks; we have outlined the complete set of steps for watching Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in Europe for free below:
1- Get ExpressVPN for BBC iPlayer (12+3 month free special deal with a 30-day money-back guarantee)
2- Download the VPN app on your device (PC, MacOS, Linux, Android, etc.)
3- Select a British server from the country list
4- Now open BBC iPlayer website or app
5- Search for Jools’ Annual Hootenanny on BBC iPlayer
6- Enjoy
Why do you need a VPN to watch Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in Europe for free?
Watching the anticipated end-of-the-year event Jools’ Annual Hootenanny will be easy for people in the UK since it will initially premiere on the local TV network, BBC Two, and will be available to stream online on the UK-exclusive platform BBC iPlayer.
However, the emphasis should be on UK-exclusive because viewers in Europe or other countries can’t access BBC iPlayer because of geo-restriction policies.
However, VPNs serve as the necessary solution to this setback by providing you with an encrypted British IP address, which will act as the golden ticket to enter the BBC iPlayer content library.
Premium VPN services like ExpressVPN or NordVPN offer you a range of servers that are located in other countries, like the UK. You can connect to these optimized servers, and this can hide your original IP address with a new one based in another country.
This simple yet effective approach has already allowed us to watch several geo-restricted titles like Murder is Easy, Dolores @ 70, and The Castaways, and will surely allow you to make your New Year’s Eve more entertaining with Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Turkey, France, Spain, Italy, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia, Hungary, Netherlands, Czechia, and other European countries for free on BBC iPlayer.
Why is ExpressVPN the best choice to watch Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in Europe for free?
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Testing NordVPN to watch Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in Europe for free
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Where to watch Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in Europe for free?
You may be looking for ways to stream Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in European countries for free, but you must know that unfortunately, it won’t be possible to catch this special event on any European streaming platform or TV network.
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny has always been and will air on BBC Two, and much like every year, it will be available to stream online on BBC iPlayer. The British entertainment network has not sold the rights to Jools’ Annual Hootenanny to any European platform stations, and it seems unlikely that any deal will be made anytime soon.
In this seemingly hopeless scenario, there is an easy alternate route that you can take: using a VPN to unblock BBC iPlayer.
By connecting to a British server through premium VPNs like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, you can get past the geo-restrictions of BBC iPlayer, making it seem like you’re situated in the UK. This allows you to watch Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Turkey, France, Spain, Italy, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia, Hungary, Netherlands, Czechia, and other European countries for free without any problems.
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny – Release Date
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny first began as a yearly tradition on December 31, 1993, and since then, it has been BBC’s one of the best New Year’s Eve celebration events, holding a solid IMDb rating of 7/10.
And like every year, Jools’ Annual Hootenanny is set to return on BBC Two on December 31, 2023, on New Year’s Eve, at 11:30 pm.
Note: Jools’ Annual Hootenanny 2023 is now streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny – Official Trailer
BBC hasn’t released an official trailer for this year’s Jools’ Annual Hootenanny. However, we will update this blog when a trailer is released online. So, stay tuned!
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny – Our Top Performances of 2020s
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny has been with us for three decades, and below are some of our top performances from the special of 2020s:
1- Roísín Murphy and Jools Holland – Let’s Dance
2- Lulu – Shout
3- Jools Holland & his R’n’B Orchestra – One O’Clock Boogie
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny – What to Expect from the Special?
Jools Holland will be hosting his yearly New Year’s Eve show called Hootenanny, where he and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra will perform and welcome in the year 2024.
The event will feature many musical guests who will sing songs from 2023 and previous decades to create the ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration.
It’s a party full of music spanning many eras, hosted by Jools Holland and featuring a variety of talented musicians. The performances will help ring in 2024 in musical style.
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny – Who is the Host?
Jools Holland is a renowned English musician who has had an extensive career in the music industry. He first gained recognition as a founding member of the band Squeeze. Since then, he has collaborated with many famous artists across different genres, including pop, rock, blues, and R&B legends like Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and Tom Jones.
Holland is also known for co-hosting the music show The Tube in the 1980s and has been the host of the popular program Later…with Jools Holland on BBC Two since 1992. Beyond his own shows, Holland has made appearances on other TV programs as well.
Additionally, Holland has had a successful solo career as a pianist, bandleader, singer, and songwriter. He hosted a radio show on BBC Radio 2 for many years. Over his decades-spanning music career, Holland has cemented his status as a revered figure in the British music scene.
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny – Who will be Performing this Year?
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny will feature a mix of established music legends and up-and-coming talent. Rock icon Rod Stewart will make his first-ever appearance at the Hootenanny.
Other musical performers include Joss Stone, Olivia Dean, Paul Jones, PP Arnold, Raye, Sugababes, The Mary Wallopers, and soul singer Ruby Turner. The Pipes & Drums of the 1st Battalion Scot Guards will also perform at midnight.
In addition to the music acts, comedians, actors, and other celebrities will be in attendance in the audience and conversing with Jools Holland throughout the show.
We have mentioned the complete lineup of musical performers of this year’s Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in the list below:
- Rod Stewart
- Joss Stone
- Olivia Dean
- Paul Jones
- PP Arnold
- Raye
- Sugababes
- The Mary Wallopers
- Ruby Turner
- Pipes & Drums of the 1st Battalion Scot Guards
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny – News
It was reported by Alan Foley on Mayo News that among the performer lineup of Jools’ Annual Hootenanny is Muireann Bradley, a 16-year-old celebrated guitarist and vocalist from Ballybofey, known for her unique blend of country blues, ragtime, folk-blues, and roots finger-picking styles.
In a recent announcement, Muireann expressed her excitement about joining the star-studded event, which will be aired on BBC Two. The show promises a fusion of musical genres and performances from some of the industry’s most iconic figures.
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny on Twitter
We certainly finished this series on a high note!
With live music from @CorinneBRae, @BombayBicycle, @billybragg, @cleosol, @cmatbaby and @sekouumusic 🎵
Keep your eyes peeled for this year’s Annual Hootenanny! 🎆 pic.twitter.com/he21RNfIzE
— Later…with Jools Holland on BBC Two (@BBCLater) November 22, 2023
What an honour for young Ballybofey musician @BradleyMuireann to be asked to perform on the Jools Annual Hootenanny on @BBC presented by #joolsholland and broadcast on New Year's Eve.https://t.co/D0oJBz6iGY
— Letterkenny Cath Qtr (@LkennyCathQtr) December 22, 2023
FAQs
1- Was Jools’ Annual Hootenanny ever live?
No, Jools’ Annual Hootenanny has always been a pre-recorded program, yet it simulates a live broadcast, complete with a countdown to midnight and mentions of the upcoming new year.
2- Where is Jools’ Annual Hootenanny filmed?
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny is entirely filmed in the Maidstone Studios, located in Vinters Park, Maidstone, Kent.
3- Will Jools’ Annual Hootenanny be available in Europe for free?
The upcoming Jools’ Annual Hootenanny is unlikely to be broadcast for free in Europe, as major TV networks and streaming services have not announced its premiere.
This is actually nothing new as this has been the case for every year due to licensing restrictions with BBC, limiting access to viewers outside the UK.
However, in times like these, viewers can watch Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in Europe for free by using a premium VPN service like ExpressVPN, breaking the shackles of geo-licensing and unblocking BBC iPlayer.
4- Who is the executive producer of Jools’ Annual Hootenanny?
Alison Howe is set to return as the executive producer of Jools’ Annual Hootenanny. Having produced other shows like David Byrne Live at Union Chapel, Glastonbury, and Top of the Pops, she has also been the producer for Later… With Jools Holland.
5- What is the genre of Jools’ Annual Hootenanny?
BBC Two has categorized Jools’ Annual Hootenanny by the following genres:
- Music
- Classic Pop & Rock
- Rock & Indie
6- What is the runtime of Jools’ Annual Hootenanny?
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny will have a total runtime of 2 hours.
What other Festive Specials can you watch with a VPN?
There has been a promising selection of festive specials this year. But many of them, just like Jools’ Annual Hootenanny, have been inaccessible in various locations due to geo-restrictions. But as usual, VPNs will be your companion in overcoming these limitations.
Check out the list of other festive Specials you can watch with a VPN below:
- Not Going Out Christmas Special 2023
- The Repair Shop at Christmas 2023
- Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2023
- Mrs. Brown’s Boys Christmas Specials 2023
- The Masked Singer UK Christmas Special 2023
- Doctor Who Christmas Special 2023
- Mog’s Christmas
- Tabby McTat
- Beyond Paradise Christmas Special
- Death in Paradise Christmas Special 2023
- Call the Midwife Christmas Specials 2023
- A Ghost Story for Christmas: Lot No. 249
- Ghosts Christmas Special 2023
Wrap Up
The most dazzling New Year’s Eve celebration that you can attend, Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny, is returning once again on December 31, 2023. This much-anticipated event is going to be available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
By following the simple steps we have mentioned in this blog, you can easily tune in and welcome 2024 with Jools’ Annual Hootenanny in Europe for free. ExpressVPN is our most recommended VPN option for bypassing the geo-restrictions of streaming platforms, and you can try this remarkable premium VPN without any risks thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.