Jools Holland set for a Sligo return in June 2026
This special all-seated Knocknarea Arena ATU Sligo concert takes place outside of Sligo Live's usual festival period, on Saturday 6th June 2026. Tickets are €67.50 + €3 s.c.
At the age of 15, Jools Holland was introduced to Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford he joined Squeeze, followed by Gilson Lavis shortly afterwards.
Gilson, (who still drums with Jools), had already played with, among others, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and Max Wall.
Up The Junction and Cool For Cats gave Squeeze meteoric success and their popularity rapidly extended to America, where their tour included performances at New York's Madison Square Garden.
In 1987, Jools formed The Jools Holland Big Band – comprising himself and Gilson Lavis.
This has gradually metamorphosed into the current 19-piece Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, which consists of pianist, organist, drummer, three female vocals, guitar, bass guitar, two tenor saxophones, two alto saxophones, baritone saxophone, three trumpets, and three trombones.
Jools' career as a television presenter has run parallel to his musical career.
Between 1988 and 1990, Jools performed in and co-hosted (with David Sanborn) two seasons of an acclaimed music performance programme, Night Music, on NBC.
After presenting two series of Juke Box Jury in 1989 and then 26 shows of The Happening in 1990, Jools was asked in 1992 to host a new music programme for BBC2, which combined his talent and experience as a musician with his skills as a TV presenter.
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This was Later... with Jools Holland. The show has reawakened the innovative spirit of The Tube and has just completed its 65thseries, whilst Jools' Annual Hootenanny will celebrate its 32nd year.
Jools' special guest, Andrew Roachford, is one of the UK's most compelling and enduring rock & soul artists, ever since his hit Cuddly Toy (a mainstay of radio airplay for over three decades) topped the UK charts in 1988.
He also spent time as a member of supergroup, Mike + the Mechanics, who enjoyed a string of charting singles.
Roachford has released 10 studio albums and several greatest hits collections, been sought-after as a songwriter by the likes of Michael Jackson, Joss Stone and Chaka Khan, and consistently toured on his own and with contemporaries including Terence Trent D'Arby and The Christians. In 2019, Andrew received an MBE for Services to Music.
Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra Tickets are €67.50 plus fees and are available Friday June 13 2025, online at Sligolive.ie and in person or by phone (071) 916 1518 from the Hawk's Well box office and from TicketMaster.ie.
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Irish Times
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