Episode 2

Jools welcomes Grammy- and Mercury Prize-winning British musician and producer James Blake, who returns to the show with his seventh studio and top three album Trying Times.

From New York State, blues-rock superstar Joe Bonamassa performs a couple of numbers, including the title track from his 2025 album Breakthrough. He also joins Jools at the piano to discuss their love of BB King in tribute to the legendary icon who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year.

From Leicester, rising singer-songwriter Sekou, who made his debut on the show in 2023, returns with a neo-soul pop sound, performing his latest singles Dangerous Lover and Catching Bodies.

From Arkansas is the multi-award-winning country star Ashley McBryde, who performs the track Bottle Tells Me So from her fifth studio album Wild, which pulls together 15 years of songwriting.

Also joining the line-up from Berlin and Paris are Mandy, Indiana, who all met in Manchester’s underground music scene. They perform the bristling techno track Cursive, taken from their second album, URGH.

Completing the line-up and chatting with Jools at the piano is Jocelyn Brown, who hails from North Carolina and is now based in London and is celebrating more than 40 years in music. Together, they discuss her musical journey and the success of her breakout single and dancefloor anthem Somebody Else’s Guy in 1984.