If there’s one thing you can be proud about if you’re English these days it’s our music. Throughout the history of popular music, very few countries can compare to the unique, adventurous and innovative sound of this not so great isle.
And one institution which has been here for what seems like forever is Jools Holland. Whether you feel a deep hatred towards him and his show for being forced to watch it every New Years Eve as a kid, or you’re a vivid viewer of his weekly show, there is no denying it can be a great platform for up and coming artists.
After we celebrated the greatest performances on Letterman the other day, we now move across the pond. Here we have the 10 GREATEST performances ever hosted by Jools Holland.
Over the next 10 days we will be posting these performances on our Instagram and Twitter, so check that out and do give us a follow. 🙂
10. Gnarls Barkley – Crazy (2006)
We kick off the list with a unique sounding version of this Gnarls Barkley classic. CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse’s tune is still adored to this day, easily being one of the most renowned songs of the 2000s. Here they play a trancier, slightly slower, more keyboard-centric version of the hit. It is a great example of how artists can use a show like Jools Holland’s to showcase their range and talent. A perfect performance to get this list going.
9. Nick Cave & Shane McGowan – Wonderful World (1992)
Two legends of the game (as the kids say) tackling one of the greatest songs ever written. In true Cave and McGowan fashion this may just be the gloomiest performance of the Louis Armstrong classic ever heard. The two greats just looking effortlessly cool perched on a stool with Jools Holland himself on piano. It’s never going to be the most technically gifted performance with Shane McGowan, but his passion and emotion is conveyed through his voice, in a way only Mr. McGowan can do. RIP to a true great.
8. Battles – Atlas (2007)
This experimental band put on a classic of a performance in 2007. It speaks to me as a natural progression of the sound of the likes of New Order, Happy Mondays, with a hint of Gary Numan. Reminiscent of other bands at the time such as MGMT, they put the whole room on notice with a powerful show. The sort of song you’d hear in a club with sticky floors, knowing you’re gonna have a night to remember.
7. The Last Dinner Party – My Lady Of Mercy (2023)
The most recent performance on this list, The Last Dinner Party bring their ABBA and Sparks infused sound to Jools Holland. I went into more detail on this band and the ‘industry plant’ accusations they have faced recently, check that out here. But I will stick by the opinion that their debut album is up there with the very best albums released in recent years. Here they perform (in my opinion) their best and most interesting song, where each part of the tune is as justified as the last. In a time where British Indie guitar music is in a bit of a slog (in my opinion, again), these girls have a truly unique and gripping sound.
6. Sleaford Mods – Jobseeker (2015)
Now here’s a performance that you’ll either love, or you’ll hate. If you’re not British, chances are you won’t get it at all. 2015 was a weird time, there weren’t many British voices singing about British life. Then these lads from Nottingham came along and belted out these lyrics: “Can of strongbow, I’m a mess, desperately clutching onto this leaflet on depression, supplied to me by the NHS.” Truly makes you feel a simultaneous sense of british pride dished with a very heavy slice of british shame doesn’t it.
There’s so much too like about this, with my personal highlight being the DJ not even pretending that he’s doing anything, just pressing play then standing there for the remainder of the performance sipping his pint in true English style. This comment I found on YouTube personifies Sleaford Mods.
I’d go one step further, if Super Hans was real, he’d be IN Sleaford Mods.
5. The National – The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness (2017)
Here is a perfect example of Jools Holland introducing a new band to someone. And that someone is me ! I remember watching this live and being instantly gripped to The National. Maybe it’s not a top 10 performance ever, but it has a personal meaning to me, isn’t that what music is all about? Great band, great tune, check it out.
4. Mazzy Star – Fade Into You (1994)
Now I know the other day I said No Doubt era Gwen Stefani might be the coolest woman of all time. But I think I was wrong. Watching a video of Hope Sandoval performing ‘Fade Into You’ in the 90s is one of the most mesmerising experiences I’ve ever had. Maybe I’ve just always had a big time crush on her (definitely, not maybe). But forgetting about her for a second, this is one of my favourite tunes ever written. A truly beautiful performance of a truly beautiful song.
3. Bjork – Joga (1997)
A generational performance from a generational talent. The emotion and passion is bursting out of the screen as Bjork plays a slightly slower version of her hit ‘Joga’. Bjork is a great example of humanity advancing in front of our eyes. You’d be forgiven for thinking this is from 2024, it’s a sound which battled back against the grunge and pop-punk movements of the 90s and early 2000s. With her mouth wide open screaming every note perfectly, encapsulating an energy that most artists strive for their entire career. A well deserved top 3 place for this Icelandic prodigy.
2. Faithless – Insomnia (1997)
Was 1997 the peak of Jools Holland performances? It sure looks like it. After Bjork we have this enticing showing of the Faithless club classic. A true sign of the times as Maxi Jazz and co. put the studio on lockdown with this alluring version of Insomnia. Anyone who has ever enjoyed the odd party knows this song all too well. It comes on, you dance. Simple as that. Faithless and Maxi Jazz will live forever through this timeless tune.
1. Seasick Steve – Dog House Boogie (2007)
If you’re not aware of Seasick Steve, prepare to have your mind blown. He sits there with his 3-string guitar and gets the whole room on their feet boogying to the Dog House Boogie. Hell yeah. He’s well renowned for being a highlight of Glastonbury every year he plays there, and this performance on Jools Holland really propelled the Californian into the minds of the British population. A song has never once been more suited to have the word ‘boogie’ in its title. There really wasn’t any other option to top this list. A truly memorable performance which I am sure would get ANYBODY from ANY background up on their feet dancing. Up the Seasick Steve.
So there we have it, the definitive 10 GREATEST performances ever seen on Jools Holland. A quick shout out to some that just missed out: Future Islands (would’ve made the list if it wasn’t for being on the Letterman list the other day); Adele performing ‘Chasing Pavements’; Warpaint performing ‘Undertow’; and KT Tunstall performing ‘Black Horse & The Cherry Tree’.
I’m sure I’ve missed out so so many, so be sure to get in touch and let me know where I’ve been wrong :).
Until next time, Ciao for now.
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