Later....With Jools Holland, Tuesday 25th September, 2012

What an odd and at times disturbing experience it was to watch Later....With Jools Holland tonight, perhaps quite simply in being reminded of the ageing process and the frailties it brings, Brian Wilson exemplifying this in his robotic presence, though we know it is not entirely getting older that has produced his evidently vulnerable situation. This was particularly visible at the end of The Beach Boys’ spirited a cappella performance of Barbara Ann - with Jools contributing a brief honky-tonk riff over which Brian plonked basic chords – where comforting and controlling hands were placed on Wilson’s shoulder, and someone stopped him from moving off his stool when Jools left for the next act.

More confirmation of the total support package was in the number of Beach Boys baseball caps worn by members to conceal another B-word, the loose-fitting shirts with untucked tails hanging like sails, and Brian’s piano rack actually a box with edges like blinkers that presumably holds and conceals a screen where the words he is to sing are transmitted in large letters and with other instructions. But how good to hear them singing That's Why God Made the Radio, the great title track from their great current album [reviewed here 3rd June].

The icing on this moderately surreal experience was John Lydon and Public Image Limited performing a track from their new album, John also apparently following the lyrics on a score before him – no need for electronic assistance just yet. Lydon wore an oversized coat and shirt to continue the art of concealment, or not, and he seems to be eating quite a few crumpets with the butter he hilariously advertises.

I know the weight references wear thin [couldn’t resist] coming from someone with his own bourbon belly and other age-related consequences, and as I said at the beginning, that is perhaps why this first episode in the new series made such an unsettling impact. In terms of the music it was interesting to see Muse playing live songs from their latest album I reviewed yesterday, and the performance being less theatrical than on record. It was also amazing to see PIL because I had only earlier this evening, and without knowing tonight’s line-up for the show, been listening to Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols. I thought John was in fine form, even with an alleged cold.

Natalie Duncan was a revelation [reviewed here 4th August].