Later... with Jools Holland - Season 56

Later… with Jools Holland returns for a seven-part series continuing in its lockdown form, which sees Jools open the doors to his unique south London recording studio.

Kicking off the series is a special episode featuring the winner of the much-coveted Mercury Prize 2020 in conversation with Jools, discussing the honour of taking home the iconic prize, the creative process behind their winning album and the musical influences that shaped it.

Jools Holland returns for the second programme of the series, filmed at Jools's unique south London recording studio.

This week, Jools chats to the legendary Robert Plant, who talks him through his own musical journey, loves and influences, illustrated by a diverse selection of clips from the extensive Later… archive. Frontman of one of the biggest bands in the world, Led Zeppelin, Plant is now enjoying his fourth decade of a successful solo career and a more recent role as podcast host of Digging Deep. Having previously performed on Later... nine times in various guises, Plant joins Jools as he releases a career- spanning album with tracks from his 11 solo records and previously unreleased material.

Declan McKenna joins Jools in the studio in a special performance at the piano of Be An Astronaut, from his recently released and critically acclaimed second album Zeros, a record heavily influenced by his 70s glam heroes, including David Bowie. From Hertfordshire, now based in north London, the 21-year-old recorded Zeros last year in Nashville, but its themes of disconnect and isolation resonate even more strongly now. He makes his second appearance on Later..., having performed in 2016 ahead of the release of his debut record What Do You Think About the Car?

And in a specially shot performance, the show welcomes back London Grammar, a trio who have graced the Later... studio twice before. The band, who met and formed as students at Nottingham University, are back with their first new music since their 2017 number one album Truth is a Beautiful Thing. New single Baby It's You has the group's familiar dreamy sound but with a new Balearic vibe.

This week, Jools chats to global pop superstar Sam Smith and discovers their own musical journey, loves and influences, illustrated by a diverse selection of clips from the extensive Later... archive. Smith comes to Jools's studio ahead of the release of their third album Love Goes, written over the last two years, which Smith refers to as 'the most experimental time of my life, personally but also musically'. Smith first appeared on Later... in 2013 with dance duo Disclosure, making their solo debut the year after. They have had a meteoric rise to fame over the past decade, with two number one albums In the Lonely Hour and The Thrill of It All, seven number one singles and a heaving awards cabinet of Brits, Grammys and an Oscar for their James Bond theme.

Making her debut on the show this week is Jamaican artist Koffee, who is part of the wave of musicians reimagining the positive vibes of roots reggae. She made history this year taking home the Grammy for best reggae album for her Rapture EP, making her the first woman and youngest recipient of the award. She performs from Bob Marley's famed recording studio Tuff Gong in the island's capital Kingston.

And performing in Jools's studio is Shirley Collins, a veteran of the British folk scene, who is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest female singers of the genre and a key voice in the English folk revival of the sixties and seventies. With a musical career spanning over 60 years, Collins released her ninth solo album Heart's Ease back in July to huge critical acclaim, with reinterpreted traditional songs from England and the USA alongside new numbers.

Jools chats to singer and actor Paloma Faith about her musical journey, loves and influences, and there is a unique performance at Jools's studio from producer, songwriter and musician Fraser T Smith.

Jools chats to Celeste, the BBC's Sound of 2020, about her musical journey so far, and there are performances from The Lathums and Joesef.

Jools chats to Sheffield musician and broadcaster Jarvis Cocker about his musical journey so far, and there are performances from Greentea Peng and Working Men's Club.

Later… with Jools Holland returns for the final programme of the autumn series, filmed at Jools's creative home, his unique south London recording studio. Jools chats to popstar Melanie C about her musical journey so far and her loves and influences, and For Those I Love and Mica Paris perform.