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Later… With Jools Holland: 21 of the best performances to watch right now
From Nick Cave to Amyl and the Sniffers, we celebrate some of the greatest performances to ever grace the hallowed Later… stage
As far as music television goes, most of us grew up watching the likes of TOTP, Popworld, Headbangers Ball on MTV, or even (if you’re as old as this writer) catching live performances on cult TV shows like The Word on Channel 4 (late at night when babysitting the neighbours’ kids for five quid and a frozen pizza). Good times.
Sadly, however, most music television never made it out of the noughties – except of course, the veritable Planet Earth of music programming that’s Later… With Jools Holland.
Led by the sharply dressed Holland with his tinkly piano accompaniments and signature nasal barking, the show first aired in 1992 and has become a bona fide BBC institution over the last thirty years. Boasting more than it’s share of stunning artist debuts (KT Tunstall, we’re looking at you), the Later… set has long been associated with an artist ‘making it’ in the music world, with friends, producers and peers often sitting in the audience during the live recording.
Plus, the annual Hootenanny (a favourite with this writer’s late father) is a non-negotiable for many UK music fans, providing the perfect excuse to ditch ambitious NYE plans in favour of sitting in with some M&S picky bits and a chilled bottle of fizz. IYKYK.
So, to celebrate everything Later… (and the forthcoming Jools Holland tour), here’s some of our GOAT performances from the show. YouTube wormhole incoming…
21. ‘Reeling’ – Say She She (2023)
Fresh-faced and ready to take on the world, one of our most favourite recent Later… performances comes from the discodelic trio Say She She. A smorgasbord of insane vocal talent, these women have the world at their feet.
20. ‘With Every Heartbeat’ – Robyn (2018)
The queen of sad bangers slays once again with this breathtaking revisiting of (according to this writer, although many would disagree) her most beautiful track to date. Saturated with heartbreak yet as pretty as a synthy-pitched pin: 100% stunning.
19. ‘Slow Hands’ – Interpol (2004)
Back before Carlos D turned his back on Interpol, the band were tearing apart live shows with ‘Slow Hands’ – the pinnacle of indie dancefloor belters. And this Later… performance has everything we want from it. NYC swagger, activated.
18. ‘Atlas’ – Battles (2007)
One single. A whack of stage presence. A shed-load of weird noises and tech shit going on. A perfect performance. Battles deserved more, but this absolutely shreds.
17. ‘Video Games’ – Lana Del Rey (2011)
Haunting. Beautiful. Raw. This is Lana at her most devastating, and proof that she really is one of the most incredible singer/songwriters out there. Recorded fresh off the back of being labelled an ‘internet sensation’ this is arguably the best live rendition of ‘Video Games’ ever recorded.
16. ‘A Perfect Day’ – Lou Reed (2003)
Accompanied by a monk doing Tai Chi (which actually bizarrely works), this paired back version of ‘Perfect Day’ also features the stunning vocal of Anohni which takes the track to a completely new place. The cello accompaniment is equally superb.
15. ‘I Should Be So Lucky’ – Kylie Minogue & Jools Holland (2007)
Oh Kylie, you cheeky little joker. Yes, this is the jazzy lounge version of her 80s hit ‘I Should Be So Lucky’ that no one knew they needed. Brilliant.
14. ‘Monsoon Rock’ – Amyl and the Sniffers (2019)
‘This video contains very strong language.’ Did Amyl break Later…? Of course she f**king did. Deranged, throaty gumption with some of the finest mullets to ever come out of Australia, pretty sure the BBC didn’t get the profanity memo.
13. ‘Gloria’ – Patti Smith (2007)
The absolute queen. Nothing more to say.
12. ‘Insomnia’ – Faithless (1997)
Many Faithless fans will state that this live rendition of ‘Insomnia’ – arguably one of the greatest ever dance tracks – is the best out there. The slick arrangement and the stirring power of Maxi Jazz’s voice makes this Later… performance absolutely timeless. Rest in power Maxi Jazz.
11. ‘Tightrope’ – Janelle Monáe (2010)
Once again, Janelle Monae delivers an absolute masterclass in live performance. She sings, She dances. She has SO MUCH CLASS. It’s like Prince never left us. Put some voodoo on it people.
10. ‘Lust For Life’ – Iggy Pop (2016)
Josh Homme on guitar. Matt Helders on drums. Iggy tearing shit up at 67 years of age. Iconic.
9. ‘I Wanna Make It Wit Chu’ – Desert Sessions ft. PJ Harvey (2003)
Another Josh Homme addition, only this time with the glorious PJ Harvey as part of the Desert Sessions. Smoky and oh-so sexy, this writer remembers being captivated by this Later… performance when catching it twenty years ago. She still is.
8. ‘Folsom City Blues’ – Johnny Cash (1994)
An incredible live performance of ‘Folsom City Blues’ by the man in black, and one that lives on in many Later… fans’ minds, this was recorded just two years after the franchise started. It remains to be one of the show’s most lauded episodes.
7. ‘I Heard it Through The Grapevine’ – Amy Winehouse and Paul Weller (2006)
It’s always difficult watching old footage of Amy, especially when performances are as magical as this. Accompanied by Paul Weller and Jools on piano, here’s our Camden girl at her most fierce. Incredible stuff, but bittersweet. We miss you down here.
6. ‘Seasons (Waiting on You)’ – Future Islands (2014)
It was never going to be as good as the Letterman performance (what could?), but Future Islands brought some of that jaw-dropping energy to the Later… stage. Featuring guttural screams, chest thumps and plenty of Marlon Brando attitude, this is goosebump-inducing stuff.
5. ‘One Armed Scissor’ – At The Drive In (2000)
Oh yes. This writer remembers watching this performance of ‘One Armed Scissor’ live and being absolutely blown away. At The Drive In came to Later… and they completely wrecked the gaff. Guitars flying. Chairs flying. Cedric flying. The emergency tambourine (thanks @johnmeininger4911)? Carnage ensues. Cue the camera swinging back to Jools who looks wryly shocked at the complete audacity of this bunch of absolute nutters. Great fun.
4. ‘God Is In The House’ – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (2001)
‘The word is out. God is in the house.’ A beautifully raw version of this hymnal Nick Cave track which features the Bad Seeds surrounding the piano like some barfly house band. It’s so, so gorgeous we guarantee you’ll be watching it twice.
3. ‘Nightswimming’ – REM (2003)
Often voted the most nostalgic song of all time (even if you haven’t stripped off and gone skinny dipping on a moonlit night anytime recently), this Later… performance is everything you want from ‘Nightswimming’, and more. It’s measured, it’s perfect. It takes your breath away, like plunging into cold water with someone you love so completely.
2. ‘Paranoid Android’ – Radiohead (1997)
Another iconic performance from the Later archive, and one that many people remember (not just Radiohead fans). Frantic, soaring, this live rendition of ‘Paranoid Android’ envelops you like cold vapour and binds you tight. It’s almost threatening in its ferocity. Incredible.
1. ‘Ashes To Ashes’ – David Bowie (1999)
The slap bass. The backing singers. The exquisite live arrangement. Yes, recorded back when the starman walked the Earth, this performance of ‘Ashes to Ashes’ is incendiary in its execution. It’s quite simply perfect. Hit play. Enjoy.
