An intimate celebration with Jools 25 years later
LATER … WITH JOOLS HOLLAND 25 Royal Albert Hall, SW7
UNLESS you’re lucky enough to attend a studio performance of Later… With Jools Holland, it’s something to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. Last night the BBC’s music show came to the Royal Albert Hall, giving fans a rare chance to see it live in its 25th year.
The floor of the hall was transformed into the familiar Later… circular studio. “Have you any idea how hard it is to film this show?” Holland joked, as camera and sound crews worked tirelessly on stage to bring the programme and its “commitment to all manner of musicians and musicians that matter” to life.
It’s hard to think of many musicians who matter more than Van Morrison, who treated fans to a stunning p e r f o r ma n c e o f G l o r i a . Another master, Paul Weller, opened with brooding favourite Wild Wood.
Gregory Porter impressed with his version of Mona Lisa, giving one of the performances of the night. The raw, energetic sound of Malian band Songhoy Blues proved a joyous inclusion, as did turns from KT Tunstall and Dizzee Rascal, both of whom got early breaks on the show, while Kali Uchis made her debut.
During one of his piano-side interviews, Holland wryly asked Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl: “You first played in 1997. Do you have any recollection of that time at all?”
Remembering one deafening set that had caused major production problems, Grohl recalled: “KD Lang came up to us and said, ‘Some of us wanna get home tonight’.” Happily, 20 years on, there were no such issues — the band’s performance stole the show.
Despite the grandiose setting, the warmth and familiarity of all involved made the evening feel as intimate as any living room. “The Albert Hall is starting to shrink,” Holland said.
Looking ahead, comedian Paul Whitehouse asked Holland: “Fifty years later: what do you think, Jools?” “It’s my dream and my hope we will still be on in 25 years,” he replied. It was a hope shared by many in the hall.