SA: Watch The Joy play Later... with Jools Holland

15 Nov 2022 - 15:29

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

South African acapella group The Joy was among artists invited to perform at the 30th anniversary of English pianist Jools Holland’s show Later... with Jools Holland which aired on BBC Two on 12 November.

South African acapella group The Joy. Photo: Facebook

The show that was recorded on 5 October at Hammersmith Apollo in London featured performers spanning different eras and musical worlds. They included Robert Plant, Imelda May, Poppy Ajudha, Richard Hawley, Celeste, First Aid Kit, Seasick Steve and Gogol Bordello, among others.

The five-member group performed their single ‘Isencane Lengane’, which was recorded live on BBC Music. The performance coincided with the release of their single ‘Egoli’, which is available for streaming and download here.

“It was a beautiful experience and we performed alongside incredible artists that we love and admire like Benjamin Clementine and Michael Kiwanuka more,” the group wrote on Facebook.

“‘Egoli’ surges with happiness at the hopes and dreams it encapsulates,” the group said. “Egoli, a place of gold in Zulu, is a name given to Johannesburg because of its gold mining history. The song is about leaving the rural areas to move to the big city for a better life. In South Africa this is a reality we face from a young age, growing up separated from our parents who work in the cities to send money back home. For us the big city represents hopes and dreams and we are on our way to reaching them.”

With their roots in traditional Zulu music and modern acapella, The Joy’s latest offering takes the group into rich, melodic, and uplifting music terrain. Produced by Tiago Correia-Paulo, Bongeziwe Mabandla and Tumi and the Volume, ‘Egoli’ beautifully showcases what happens when The Joy’s signature harmonies are supported by Maskandi-influenced guitarwork and delicate production flourishes.

With the help of their Instagram and TikTok accounts, The Joy’s music quickly spread and they began working with English producer Two Inch Punch. The group has caught the attention of Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and Sam Smith.

The quintet released their debut single ‘Isencane Lengane’ on their label imprint in May 2021, followed by an EP, Amabutho, in September – both of which helped set the group on its way to becoming a worldwide phenomenon.

Watch The Joy’s performance at Jools Holland’s birthday below: