He’s a funny little guy, Jools Holland, and yet anyone who has seen his concerts with the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra is blown away, and everyone who has seen his BBC2 music television show Later…with Jools Holland appreciates how good it is. Capturing a band’s music and doing them credit on live television is a very hard thing to do - I know, I spent years trying. While many bands are sceptical about appearing on live music shows because they’re concerned about sound issues I imagine no one turns down Jools Holland.
He’s a funny little guy, Jools Holland, and yet anyone who has seen his concerts with the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra is blown away, and everyone who has seen his BBC2 music television show Later…with Jools Holland appreciates how good it is. Capturing a band’s music and doing them credit on live television is a very hard thing to do - I know, I spent years trying. While many bands are sceptical about appearing on live music shows because they’re concerned about sound issues I imagine no one turns down Jools Holland.
Holland began playing piano at a young age and formed the band Squeeze in 1974. Successful in the UK and the States, Holland then went on to host music television shows on both sides of the Atlantic, and in 1987 formed his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, which continues to tour today.
He has presented Later… with Jools Holland since 1992 and it’s wonderfully equalitarian, not only has it become the place for the world famous to launch their new single or album, but he’s also got an ear for the next big thing. For example, it was on Later… with Jools Holland that Adele launched her career, and watching up-and-comers play alongside the superstars of the music industry is what makes this show exciting.
Holland walks around the soundstage between bands, who standing around when they’re not performing throwing the playbook around between legends, new comers and no names. He has quick chats with his guests, and being a musician himself, Holland can get away with asking a musician “what inspired this song” and get a proper answer rather than rolled eyes. He’s an energetic and engaging host but it’s the fact he puts the music first which is why he and his show resonate with music lovers around the world.
Rialto Channel has managed to secure the exclusive rights to the new series of Later…with Jools Holland, and considering this is the best music show on television (and yes, any show where artists perform their own work will always out-do a show filled with singing contestants we can’t vote for), this is great news.
Make sure you’re watching every Wednesday evening (8.30pm) throughout January and February to see performances and catch the chat from artists and bands such as Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, K.D Lang, Blondie, P.J Harvey and Adele, just to namedrop a few.
Go on, be the first to see the next big thing.
Enjoy