Season 55 - Episode Guide

The music programme returns with a lockdown twist. Each week, Jools chats to a guest via videolink, beginning with Christine & the Queens, who talks about her musical journey as well as her influences, with a selection of her favourite Later performances pulled out of the archive. New music will also continue to feature throughout the series, and in this first edition Laura Marling plays a track from her seventh album Song for Our Daughter, which she released earlier than originally planned in light of the current pandemic.

The host reinvents his music show to accommodate the requirements of the lockdown, joined - virtually - in this edition by grime pioneer Dizzee Rascal. The east London rapper talks through his musical journey and some of the artists that were part of it, illustrated by clips from the BBC archives. His choices reflect the diverse array of genres from indie to grime and jazz, that have influenced his music, alongside memories from a career that kicked off with his Mercury Prize-winning debut Boy in Da Corner in 2003. Plus, as part of the show's focus on new music and artists, a unique performance by a contemporary artist.

The music programme continues in its lockdown incarnation as Jools chats from his south London studio via videolink to Golden Globe-winning actor, comedian, musician and writer Hugh Laurie, inviting him to recount his musical journey. Laurie's picks reflect the influences that can be found on his own two records Let Them Talk and Didn't It Rain, the former featuring collaborations with Tom Jones, Irma Thomas and Dr John. As usual, there's also time for Jools to focus on new music, with a unique performance by multi-instrumentalist and singer Jacob Collier, who will be making his debut on the show.

With three platinum selling albums under her belt, Ellie Goulding chats online to Jools ahead of the release of her fourth this summer, which arrives 10 years after her debut record and first top 10 single Starry Eyed. The pair discuss the artists that have influenced her musical journey, illustrated by classic performances from the regular show's extensive archive. This edition also debuts Biig Piig, a musician who grew up between Ireland and Spain, and is now based in London. Recorded at home, she brings a taste of her sound with new single Switch, showcasing her unique brand of minimal pop.

The host enjoys an online conversation with Gregory Porter who, over the past decade, has brought jazz to the masses with his contemporary take, fast becoming one of the best-selling artists of the genre. Last year he launched podcast The Hang, which sees him chat to old and new friends from Jeff Goldblum to Annie Lennox and is planning to release his sixth album, All Rise, in August. Jools and Gregory discuss the artists he loves and is influenced by, illustrated with performances from the Later archive. The programme retains its focus on new music and artists, here spotlighting Dublin band Fontaines DC.

Jools chats to singer, songwriter, broadcaster and frontman of Elbow, Guy Garvey, who has a long history with Late, having performed six times - the first back in 2003, and most recently last year when Elbow released their eighth studio album Giants of All Sizes. Alongside making music, Guy presents a weekly show on BBC 6 Music, so he is no stranger to delving into the back catalogues to bring listeners his favourite music, and he does just that here, illustrated with treats from the Later archive.