FEATURE:
Sooner or Later
PHOTO CREDIT: KoolShooters/Pexels
Why We Need Another Music Show to Sit Alongside a BBC Institution
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I have nothing against…
IN THIS PHOTO: Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler appeared on Later… with Jools Holland in 2022 in promotion of their Mercury-nominated debut album, For All Our Days That Tear the Heart/PHOTO CREDIT: BBC
the iconic Later… with Jools Holland. It has been running for thirty years now, and it is still relevant and a must-watch. We live in a time when there is so much to talk about in terms of music. From album anniversaries, new artists, classic albums, general music news, important issues and some nostalgia, a new music format and show – whether it is on the BBC or Channel 4 – would be welcomed. Later… with Jools Holland has a set format that has not changed much through the years. Whilst the guestlist each week is quite varied; it is set in its ways. Featuring artists who range in tastes and ages, it does reach a broad and eclectic audience. I have written about this a few times. Every time you float an idea like this on social media, you get some people asking what is the need for a music show. We have radio and social media. YouTube exists, and we do not really need to have more than one option on the box. I think a modern show that appeals to a wide audience could be great. The BBC did try and launch a younger version of Jools Holland’s show a while back that did not last. It tried to mix Top of the Pops with Later… with Jools Holland. It was more of a music-cum-entertainment show that was a bit scattershot and lacking in real quality. More appealing to a BBC Radio 1 audience, it was a bit restrictive and homogenous. I think that a music T.V. show, like ones of the past, can provide discovery and live experience. You can find artists you might not know about, and you get to see them perform live - something you might not be otherwise able to afford or do. That can also compel you to go and see them live – if you had not considered it before.
IN THIS PHOTO: Broadcaster, D.J., radio and television presenter, narrator, and comedian Alice Levine/PHOTO CREDIT: Hanna Hillier
If there was an hour-long new music show every week, you could have new artists performing live – ones that might not be on the radar of Later… with Jools Holland -, in addition to more established artists. There could be regular features and segments. Albums coming up for anniversary being spotlighted. Interviews around issues in music and developing news. Maybe something nostalgic that could cover things from the past (‘90s music technology or Beatlemania etc.). It would not restrict itself in terms of the audience, but the vibe would be a bit like Top of the Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test. Filming it in Manchester would take it outside of the capital. Maybe I have mentioned this before, but it would be very popular in my opinion. You could show it on a Sunday evening perhaps. That would be a good slot, as there is not a lot of attractive T.V. choice then. In terms of presenters, there are options. Names like AJ Odudu, Maya Jama, Arielle Free, Alice Levine could partner up. They would all be excellent choices. It would be inclusive and diverse show that was topical, fun but also tackled serious issues when needed. Maybe doing an album reviews section. A serious chat each week, together with the best in new music. Trying not to make it too broad and all over the place, it would balance and hang together nicely. I think that Later… with Jools Holland has its core and audience, but there are many who are asking for an alternative. In fact, this is a conversation that has been happening for years now. When will those calls be answered?!
IN THIS PHOTO: Television presenter, D.J., and broadcaster Maya Jama/PHOTO CREDIT: Ian West/PA
It comes back to that conversation of necessity. Would a broadcaster spend money on a new T.V. show that might not be watched?! I know that it is a risk, yet there are plenty of shows and regular series that provide less worth and necessity. I know Spotify is available for podcasts and we have radio, but that visuals aspect is crucial! I don’t think a lot of people look at music videos or interviews with artists. Unless you are a particular fan of that artist. I don’t think the changing nature of music discovery has changed our tastes radically. People still watch T.V., so it is not like you would struggle massively for viewers. I think that, if it was different enough to Later… with Jools Holland and spoke to a broad demographic, then it could have legs and have many series under its belt. There is so much to cover, discuss and spotlight regarding music new and old. It can be confusing getting on top of everything. You will inevitably miss something and stay in your comfort zone. A fresh and exciting weekly music show would be a wonderful accompaniment for every music lover. I wanted to keep this brief but, if you get the tone right and the right presenters, it would be a success. Bringing in some great interviews and some fascinating features, combined with brilliant new artists and some legends, it would be a worthy rival to the mighty Later… with Jools Holland. There is definitely a demand and call for it! I hope that one broadcaster takes up that request and commissions one. If that happened, we could have this essential weekly viewing that would attract a large audience. When was the last time we saw a new music show that has sustained? It has been many years. There is barely anything to choose from now! That is why we need an awesome new music show that would…
RUN for many years to come.