Jools Holland welcomes an impressive collection of musical talent to the studio tonight as Later… with Jools Holland returns to BBC Two, featuring north London rapper Skepta, indie favourites Bloc Party, New Zealand singer-songwriter Jordan Rakei and a very special collaboration with Madness frontman Suggs.
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There is another eclectic evening of live music and conversation in store as Later… with Jools Holland airs on Sunday, 1 November, at 10pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
Leading tonight’s line-up is Skepta, who makes a highly anticipated return to the legendary music programme 11 years after his memorable debut performance in 2015.
The north London rapper will perform tracks from his forthcoming album The Fork and Knife, including his recent single Innocent Smile, which sees him team up with Suggs from Madness in what promises to be one of the most unexpected musical collaborations of the year.
Jools will also sit down with Skepta to discuss his new music, the influence of his family and the journey that has brought him back to the programme. The pair will also look back at his original appearance, revisiting his performance of the iconic track Shutdown in 2015.
But Skepta is far from the only big name appearing tonight, with an impressive mixture of established artists and exciting musical talents joining Jools in the studio.
Skepta returns to Later… with Jools Holland
It has been 11 years since Skepta first appeared on the show, and his return marks a significant moment for the rapper.
He will perform a couple of songs from his forthcoming album The Fork and Knife, giving viewers a taste of his latest musical direction.
Among them is Innocent Smile, featuring Suggs, the legendary Madness frontman.
The collaboration brings together two very different musical worlds, with the pair joining forces on a track that has already attracted plenty of attention.
Away from the performances, Skepta will discuss the inspiration behind the new album, the importance of his family and his memories of appearing on the programme for the first time.
Jordan Rakei showcases new album
Travelling from New Zealand, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jordan Rakei also joins the line-up.
He performs two songs from his forthcoming seventh album, A Safe Place to Be Wild.
The record has been described as an intimate, surreal and emotionally direct collection exploring themes of self-acceptance, vulnerability and creative freedom.
Known for blending soul, jazz and electronic influences, Jordan brings another distinctive sound to an evening that promises plenty of musical variety.
Bloc Party return with personal new material
London indie favourites Bloc Party are also back on the Later… stage, performing two tracks from their recent Top 10 album Anatomy of a Brief Romance.
Described as a memoir in 14 songs, the album represents a particularly personal collection for frontman Kele Okereke.
He has described the material as containing some of the most personal songs he has ever written, offering an insight into his experiences and reflections through music.
Their appearance promises to be a treat for long-standing fans of the band, who have established themselves as one of Britain’s most recognisable indie acts.
Johnny and Lillie Flynn perform childhood-inspired music
There is also a family connection at the heart of tonight’s programme as sibling duo Johnny and Lillie Flynn make an appearance.
Both actors and musicians, the duo hail from Hampshire and Pembrokeshire and perform The Music of the Spheres, taken from their album Beam Cottage.
The record takes inspiration from the folk, acoustic and traditional music they grew up listening to, with its title referencing their childhood home.
They describe Beam Cottage as an idyllic place of happiness and togetherness, before life began to feel more complicated.
Their performance offers a more intimate and reflective moment in an evening packed with different musical styles.
corto.alto bring Glasgow sounds to the studio
Representing Glasgow is corto.alto, led by multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer and performer Liam Shortall.
The group perform a track from their highly anticipated new album SOME SMALL FORTUNE.
The album showcases Shortall’s imaginative approach to music, with each track offering something different while remaining connected through a distinctive and joyful overall sound.
Their appearance adds another layer of musical diversity to the programme, bringing contemporary jazz influences into the mix.
Rita Wilson joins Jools for a special piano performance
Completing tonight’s impressive line-up is Los Angeles singer-songwriter and film producer Rita Wilson.
She performs a song alongside Jools from her latest album, Sound of a Woman.
The record is described as an impassioned collection of songs following the arc of a woman’s life, exploring its triumphs, missteps and unexpected turning points before reaching a powerful sense of self-discovery.
Rita and Jools will also spend time chatting together at the piano, discussing the inspiration behind the album and how she recorded it in the same Nashville studio where Dolly Parton recorded two of her most famous songs, Jolene and I Will Always Love You.
It promises to be a fascinating conversation about songwriting, recording and the stories behind the music.
Who else appears in this series of Later… with Jools Holland?
Tonight’s programme is part of another eclectic series of the long-running BBC music show, which also features appearances from a number of other well-known artists and emerging performers.
Among those appearing elsewhere in the series are Jamie T, Violet Grohl, Emily Bear, Antony Szmierek, Leo Sayer and Tia Gordon.
The series continues to showcase a broad range of musical styles, bringing together established performers, emerging talent and unexpected collaborations.
When is Later… with Jools Holland on BBC Two?
Music fans can catch the latest edition of the programme tonight.
- Programme: Later… with Jools Holland
- Date: Sunday, 1 November
- Time: 10pm
- Channel: BBC Two
- Streaming: BBC iPlayer
- Presenter: Jools Holland
With Skepta and Suggs teaming up, Bloc Party delivering new material, Jordan Rakei showcasing his forthcoming album and Rita Wilson joining Jools at the piano, tonight’s edition promises a fantastic mixture of live performances and revealing conversations.
And with Skepta revisiting his memorable Shutdown performance from 2015, there is an added dose of nostalgia for viewers who have followed his career over the past decade.
Later… with Jools Holland airs tonight, Sunday 1 November, at 10pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
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