Yahoo News Later…With Jools Holland 25 review: Here's to another 25 years with Jools
Unless you’re one of a select few lucky enough to attend a studio performance of Later…With Jools Holland, it’s something usually only to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. Yet last night, the BBC's last standing music show travelled to the Albert Hall, giving fans a rare chance to see the show live in its 25th anniversary year.
The floor of the Albert Hall was transformed into the famous Later… circular studio: “Have you any idea how hard it is to film this show?” Holland jokes, as a multitude of film and sound crews work tirelessly on stage to bring the show and its “commitment to all manner of musicians and musicians that matter” to life.
It’s hard to think of a musician that matters more than the legendary Van Morrison, who treated fans to a stunning performance of Gloria. Another legend, Paul Weller, opened with brooding favourite Wild Wood, delighting fans in his fifteenth appearance on this the 360th episode of the programme.
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 performances from KT Tunstall and Dizzee Rascal, both of whom got early breaks on the show.
“You first played in 1997. Do you have any recollection of that time at all?” Holland wryly asked Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl during one of his famed piano-side interviews.
KD Lang came up to us and said: ‘some of us wanna get home tonight’,” Grohl remembered, after their deafening performance caused major production problems. Happily, twenty-years on, there were no such issues; their performance stole the show.
Despite the grandiose setting and size of the venue, the warmth and familiarity of all involved made the show feel as intimate as any living room. “The Albert Hall is starting to shrink,” Holland said.
“50 years later: what do you think, Jools?” comedian Paul Whitehouse asked, continuing the shows tradition of celebrity guest inclusions. “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 audience.
