Later… with Jools Holland: Royal Blood, Shygirl, Moses Boyd and Tony Iommi Lead Sunday’s Line-Up

Later… with Jools Holland returns to BBC Two this Sunday at 10pm, bringing together rock, jazz, electronic music, indie-folk and classical influences for another eclectic night of live performances.

This week’s show welcomes Brighton rock duo Royal Blood, acclaimed drummer and bandleader Moses Boyd, genre-defying artist Shygirl and Irish indie-folk trio Kingfishr. Cellist and vocalist Ayanna Witter-Johnson also joins the musical line-up, while legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi sits down with Jools Holland to reflect on his extraordinary career and discuss his first new solo album in 21 years.

The programme will also look back at Amy Winehouse’s appearance on the show in 2006, marking the 20th anniversary of her landmark album Back to Black.

With new music, intimate conversations and a trip into the BBC archives, Sunday’s edition promises a varied celebration of artists who continue to push musical boundaries.

When is Later… with Jools Holland on BBC Two?

Later… with Jools Holland airs this Sunday at 10pm on BBC Two.

Hosted by musician and broadcaster Jools Holland, the long-running music programme is known for bringing together established artists and emerging talent across a wide range of genres. Its format combines live performances with conversations that explore the stories and influences behind the music.

This week’s edition features new material from several artists, alongside a special appearance from one of heavy metal’s most influential guitarists.

Royal Blood perform songs from new album Dead Company

Brighton rock duo Royal Blood will take to the stage to perform a couple of songs from their fifth album, Dead Company.

The band, formed by vocalist and bassist Mike Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher, became known for their powerful sound, built around Kerr’s heavily processed bass guitar and Thatcher’s hard-hitting drumming. Their stripped-back two-piece approach has helped them create a sound that combines the force of hard rock with the energy of a much larger band.

For Dead Company, the duo have described their approach as writing and recording music ‘with the stage in mind’. They have also characterised the record as self-produced, or more accurately, ‘anti-produced’, suggesting an emphasis on capturing the band’s direct, live energy rather than polishing away its rough edges.

Their appearance on Later… with Jools Holland will give viewers an opportunity to hear how the new material translates to the live setting.

Moses Boyd brings Songs for Sinners to the piano

Drummer, composer and bandleader Moses Boyd is another highlight of Sunday’s programme, performing two songs from his second album, Songs for Sinners.

Originally from Lewisham in south-east London, Boyd has established himself as one of the prominent musicians associated with the contemporary UK jazz scene. His work draws on jazz traditions while incorporating influences from electronic music, club culture and London’s wider musical landscape.

On Songs for Sinners, Boyd explores the sounds that shaped his upbringing, including gospel and jazz music, alongside the influence of London’s sound system culture.

The result reflects the varied musical environments that have informed his development as a musician, combining different traditions rather than treating them as separate worlds.

As well as performing, Boyd will join Holland at the piano for a conversation about how he first became interested in drumming and why the role of a drummer as a bandleader matters to him.

The discussion offers a chance to hear about the musical journey behind the album and the thinking that informs his approach to leading a group.

Shygirl delivers an electric performance of Alyse

Singer, songwriter, DJ and record label owner Shygirl will bring a darker electronic edge to the programme with a performance of her single Alyse.

Taken from her second album, SWALLOW!, the track is described as a haunting love song that blends rock, metal and dark electronic elements.

Shygirl, whose real name is Blane Muise, has built a reputation for an adventurous approach to pop and club music, drawing on underground electronic sounds while challenging conventional ideas about genre and performance.

Her music frequently moves between abrasive production, club rhythms and more vulnerable emotional themes. Alyse explores the darker side of romance through a sound that brings together contrasting musical textures.

Her appearance adds another dimension to a line-up that moves freely between rock, jazz, folk and electronic music.

Kingfishr make their Later… with Jools Holland debut

Irish indie-folk trio Kingfishr will make their debut on the programme with their single How Lonely.

The band have enjoyed considerable success in Ireland and are preparing to embark on a European tour, bringing their melodic, emotionally driven sound to audiences beyond their home country.

Kingfishr have attracted attention for their blend of indie-folk songwriting, expansive arrangements and anthemic melodies. Their music combines an intimate, reflective quality with the kind of build and momentum that lends itself to live performance.

Their first appearance on Later… with Jools Holland marks another opportunity for the group to introduce their music to a wider audience.

With their European tour ahead, Sunday’s performance arrives at an important moment for the rising Irish act.

Ayanna Witter-Johnson performs Blue

Completing the musical line-up is cellist, vocalist and composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson, who will perform Blue from her first solo album in three years.

Witter-Johnson is known for bringing together classical training, contemporary songwriting, cello and voice. Her work moves across musical boundaries, combining elements of classical music, soul, jazz and other influences to create a distinctive sound.

The new material is described as a reflection on identity, belonging and rebirth, informed by her experience of having British-Caribbean roots.

That personal perspective gives Blue a reflective quality, exploring the relationship between heritage, self-understanding and the experience of finding one’s place in the world.

Her performance will provide a contrasting moment in an episode that otherwise spans everything from hard rock to experimental electronic music.

Tony Iommi talks Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne and his new solo album

One of the biggest talking points of Sunday’s episode will be an appearance by Tony Iommi, the legendary guitarist and co-founder of Black Sabbath.

Born in Birmingham, Iommi helped establish the foundations of heavy metal through his groundbreaking work with Black Sabbath. Alongside vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward, he helped create a sound that would influence generations of rock and metal musicians.

His distinctive guitar playing, dark musical atmosphere and instantly recognisable riffs became central to Black Sabbath’s identity. The band’s early records helped shape the development of heavy metal, with their influence continuing to resonate across the genre.

During his conversation with Holland at the piano, Iommi will reflect on his musical beginnings, share memories of his bandmate Ozzy Osbourne and discuss From the Dark, his first new solo album in 21 years.

The interview promises a personal look at the experiences behind one of British rock’s most influential careers, as well as an opportunity to hear about Iommi’s latest musical chapter.

His appearance also brings a significant connection to Birmingham, the city where Black Sabbath began their journey before becoming one of the most influential bands in rock history.

Amy Winehouse remembered 20 years after Back to Black

Sunday’s show will also revisit the programme’s archives to mark the 20th anniversary of Amy Winehouse’s iconic album Back to Black.

Released in 2006, the record became a defining moment in Winehouse’s career, earning widespread critical acclaim for its combination of soul, jazz and retro-inspired production with deeply personal songwriting.

Songs including Rehab, You Know I’m No Good and the title track helped establish the album as one of the defining British releases of its era.

Winehouse’s appearance on Later… with Jools Holland in 2006 captured her distinctive voice and commanding musical presence during a pivotal period in her career.

The archive segment will revisit that performance, offering viewers an opportunity to remember an artist whose influence continues to be felt across contemporary music.

The anniversary also provides a moment to reflect on the album’s enduring appeal and Winehouse’s place in British musical history.

What to expect from Sunday’s Later… with Jools Holland

With Royal Blood bringing their muscular rock sound, Moses Boyd exploring the meeting point between jazz and London’s musical culture, and Shygirl blending dark electronic music with rock and metal, Sunday’s episode offers a wide-ranging snapshot of contemporary music.

Kingfishr represent the growing international reach of Irish indie-folk, while Ayanna Witter-Johnson brings a personal, cross-genre approach to songwriting and performance.

Tony Iommi’s conversation adds a historical perspective, connecting the roots of British heavy metal with a new generation of musical experimentation. Meanwhile, the Amy Winehouse archive feature revisits a landmark moment in the programme’s history.

Later… with Jools Holland airs this Sunday at 10pm on BBC Two. With new performances, an exclusive conversation with Tony Iommi and a tribute to Amy Winehouse, it is a must-watch for music fans looking for an evening that spans generations and genres.

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