Ben Howard's breathtaking performance of End of the Affair | Later... With Jools Holland - BBC 

"Living without her, living at all, seems to slow me down" felt that Ben, felt that lad

When he shouts into his guitar I feel like I'm invading on such an intimate moment. Amazing.

This video is going to be 10 years old in 11 months. And it's still one of the greatest live performances ever!

As he screams “what the hell, love” into the guitar, few performances come close to that level of immersion. It’s almost a live demonstration of the manic agony he felt at the time of writing it. Completely entrancing on every level. I’m going through something right now and this performance makes me feel somehow listened to and understood Hats off, Ben

If this isn’t one of the greatest performances you’ve ever seen, you’re not ready for it yet.

he captures the chaotic, almost manic side of pain in a way that i’ve never heard any artist do before. i’m yet to find a more painful, raw performance. truly amazing

We're all in agreement right? This is the best performance Later...with Jools Holland has ever seen.

10 years later and I still get goosebumps every time I watch this.

It's 2023 and it still gives me the feels like the first time I heard it.

the sound engineer NAILED this one

It took me 42 years to find the most beautiful song in my life

The audience didn't exist. He sang from the core of his bones and meant every word. A musical same lyrical genius.

Left-handed, particular guitar playing, unusual tuning, special way of singing... almost tribal... it blew my mind... it's a trance as much as a song.

Currently on lockdown with this Coronavirus nightmare, and I randomly stumbled on this. For over 7 minutes I was transported into myself and found true solace. Thank you for this.

Ive played alot around with alternative tunings in band settings and such, and ive listened to alot of artist like bon iver who are concireded masters at the craft. But never, NEVER, have i seen and heard someone push music to the limit like this. Abselotely breathtaking and a complete masterpiece. This is the stuff that should go down in the historybooks, not half-assed drake albums and 100 mumblerappers mumbling over over the same exact backingtrack. I salute you Ben.

I love every aspect of this song but I would really like to tip my hat to the bass player standing in the shadows. A master of of his instrument, he brings so much depth to this song. Not there to over play, or show off, he just plays his role in making this masterpiece as perfect as he can. Bravo ❤

I don't know why but this song just won't let me go. It's in my head. In my heart. I cannot understand how do you move on from love, how do you even start to do that. How do you cope with losing "us" and becoming just "me" when all you wish for is one more time together, one more chance, a silly joke, or a lazy sunday afternoon in bed together planning that amazing future that will never happen. Heartbreaking, really. But damn - Ben sings about it so beautifully that you almost want your heart to be broken just to relate to this masterpiece. Thank you Ben for being you and doing what you do.

I think this may be the best thing I have ever heard. I’m 49.

one of the beautiful aspects of Ben’s songs lies in the fact that you can listen to them a thousand times and they will always bring something new to you. always, period. remarkable talent.

My goodness, this performance is probably the best I ever saw. I just stumbled upon this one for no reason, but I just watched this 3 times in a row, last time witch headphones on. What an emotion, what a deliverance, what a band. I'm absolutely stunned.

RU-vid respects this performance so much I've never seen a single ad. Ever.

Just christ what a performance by Ben Howard, listening to it 14 years later and it never gets old

5 years later im here in love with this all over again.

It’s 2023, and I still think that this is one of the greatest, most heartbreaking songs I’ve ever heard.

I'm completely in disbelieve the moment he sing into that guitar of his. Then I hit the like button.

hearts don't break even. This song, this rendition , takes a snapshot of the turmoil , loss and heartache and describes it in 7 minutes and 30 seconds. If you've ever been on the wrong side of it, if you are on the wrong side of it. You'll get through.

Straight up goosebumps when he puts the guitar on his lap and screams into it

Anyone who loved and lost them will truly understand these words sang from well within the heart, soul and mind

Well the algorithm has decided it's Ben Howard's time...

He’s so good can take you places mentally no one can. Great tune

The first part was like accepting the end of the affair, the last screaming part was the deepest part in him that still unable to cope with it

I’m going to see him in concert next month by myself I don’t want anyone there to distract me, it’s gonna be one of the best moments of my life.❤

For me he's on another level to any other singer songwriter out there. Everything seems so personal with him. When he's screaming in to the guitar pick up at the end I can feel it. Same with his albums, they're unique and emersive. Unbelievable

This is UNREAL, no lie, best performance i have ever seen, he uses his instrument in such a different perspective to most musicians. Love this so much! Massive respect

Ben Howard is among us. I hope that everybody in this world understand how incredible this is.

Ashamed to say I have just watched this for the first time ! WOW what a track, what a performance. This is going on my top playlist. Incredible.

I saw Ben live around 7/8 years ago in Manchester at a small(ish) venue. We got to the venue quite early and Ben was stood outside having a smoke. My friends and I approached him and had a great chat with him, took pictures etc.. he later gave us a shoutout in the middle of his set. Truly amazing, and something I'll never forget. I'm just so glad his music grew and is now shared and loved so much by myself and others!

I really didn’t believe there was anything left to discover on guitar, it’s been used in so many different ways throughout the history of popular music. But this guy has completely reinvented the instrument in ways only a genius can comprehend. How does he even come up with these parts?! Let alone play them live while delivering a flawless vocal performance! It’s mesmerising!

Anyone else watching this master at his craft in 2021?

Taking nothing away from Ben's breathtaking performance, the backing musicians are 100% emotionally connected to enable us to experience the overall ora of this masterful display. Would just like to congratulate all involved.

quite possibly the most powerful live performance ive ever seen. years later i still come to witness it. Makes me feel i am not alone when im in serious pain and the im not the only one struggling. Thank you for that Ben.

let's hope he brings this intensity with him for the 10 years of "I forget where we were"-tour this year

Ben is light years ahead in his music, every song he has ever produced is outstanding and will be classics in 50 years time. If you doubt me wait and see!

It’s 2023 and i just came here to cry again.

I like how the audience take a second to readjust at the end.

It's 3:40 a.m. This songs touches me so deep, as if I've lost the love I never had. And so in this sleepless night, I'd like to give my love to whoever is lonely out there, 'cause I'm alone too...trying to heal my heart. Love and blessings to you, brother or sister. May we find the love we all deserve.

I just cry. 16 wonderful years together. 4 years going through a messy divorce. And less than 7 minutes for Ben Howard to make me relive it all. Took her nephew on as an apprentice at my painting and decorating company. Good lad but it hurts to hear how well she's doing now with her new man. Listen to this on repeat every night when I get home from the boozer. Drunk tears streaming down my face. Sobbing. Nose running. Fists clenched. Head all over the place. Sometimes I get so angry I smash up the living room. Only Ben Howard can do this to me. Cheers.

The end of the after The weight of a war The kindness gone to bed The weight of your laughter Alive in the hall Did he hear, did he hear the fumbled words you said Living without her Living at all Seems to slow me down Living forever Hell I don't know Do I care do I care the thunders rumbled sound And now I watch her Running round in love again Now I talk about you When I'm with our mutual friends The end of the after The weight of a war The kindness gone to bed The threat of your laughter Alive after all Did he hear, did he hear the fumbled words you said Living without her Living at all Seems to slow me down Living forever Pale light on all Do I care, do I care the thunders rumbled sound [x2:] Now I watch her running round in love again Now I talk about you when I'm with our mutual friends Could you be, could you be alone? My hatred, my hate will bring me closer [x2:] This is it? Well this is desert And what of him? What the hell love What the...

Ben howard has got to be one of the best current lyricist out there, he deserves every award.

Who in the hell broke this beautiful man's heart?

Listening to this again after a few years just brings joyful tears to my eyes A Saluti love, this guys voice

If this isn't a work of genius I don't know what is. Absolutely spellbinding.

This.... This is gorgeous.

Who came to revisit this masterpiece after he came back?

Every time i think I'll play this song in the background, i end up watching this anyway

I’ve listened to this to fall asleep to every night for 6 months now. It’s been a form of therapy to help through the hardest of times. Thank you Ben.

I literally listen to this song every day of my life...

Come back to this every week. Every. Damn. Week.

almost cried when he screamed in that guitar.. so much feeling!

What a musical genius. The way he loses it and screams into his guitar at the end just grips my heart every single time.

Love the delayed reaction from the crowd after the song.. Needing a moment to land back on earth

I think we are watching the best musician of our generation right here. It's one thing going into a studio and writing 2 flawless albums, but to create this level of emotion and atmosphere live, is quite special. I felt like I was in the audience. Genius at work!

I come here every now and then.. to listen to End of the Affair.. and to cry my heart out..

Thousands of comments. Thousands of ppl trying to.... But really there isn't any words, is there? Much love if you are here and feel this. You are seen.

Still breathtaking in 2020.

Being 9.9/10ths metal head, this performance blows me away. Fucking amazing. Voice, musicianship, everything.

There are people that sing songs, then there's Ben Howard, who projects songs directly from his soul. All the feels!

I come back to this video a few times a year, and it moves me everytime. Literally tears in the eyes. A masterful performance from all the musicians involved, you can feel the emotion from all of them. Masterpiece.............

This man knows what it’s like to lose that special person, what a masterpiece.

I love how he screams into his guitar pickup... Amazing, amazing song.

still come to watch this almost every day. can't get over how amazing this performance is

outstanding performance, it blows me away every time I come back to it. Soooooooo wished I was in the room for this.

2019 and i am still here

When he screams inside of his guitar! Incredible moment. Great artist

Probably the greatest live performance ever. Words can’t really do this justice

I've never heard so much emotion, so much desperation and so much love in one song....

This is why we HAVE to save the arts. Listening to this song brings up the deepest emotions. I turned this corner and found a surprise..

I will tell them that I lived in the time of Ben Howard...

That shouting in the guitar

I swear I come back to this every few months and get goosebumps every time he starts yelling into the body of his guitar. So much passion and energy in this performance. Beautiful.

I recently discovered ben Howard. He has a way of transporting his pain into your own heart. Not had a good day today. Sitting here listening to this.. 😿

Why are we limited to just one ‘like’ on this performance, it just doesn’t do it justice. This is musicianship on another level. Brilliant

I'm watching this from my bed suffering with corona-virus and it's better than any medicine. 🙏

first time ive seen or heard this... absolutely stunning

the camera work to pull in when he's singing into the guitar at 5:57 is exceptional

Pure magic

5 years later and I'm still trying to find a better performance than this.

I showed this to my dad years ago to show how amazing Ben Howard is on the guitar and he couldn’t accept that the majority of the music was coming from him and his acoustic guitar. I nearly fell out with him trying to explain how it is!!

Completely blown away! Awe struck!!!! HE WAS SINGING INTO THE GUITAR :O !!!!! lol

I've watched this a few times and only just realised that the drummer and the double bass player are the same person. He lays the instrument down gently, walks around behind the lights, sits down and hits the first kick drum in perfect timing. Bravo, sir.

this is one of the best live performances there have ever been ever

I am still coming back to this, 9 years on....stunning

The whole band hit next level genius with this staggeringly beautiful live performance.

Its 2019 and im addicted to this track I tip my hat to a master, especially the drummer

I've lost count of how many times I've watched this performance... mesmerising

i remember sitting on my sofa late on a friday night reading a book relaxing before bed, then this came on, the middle made me stop, literally drop my book and Ive been in love with his music ever since.... i still get chills listening to him yelling into his guitar

The two halves of this song are like two parts of a person's emotional termoil. Knowing that something is over and the sadness that it brings vs the anger of rejection and guilt. I love Ben Howard and his band, every song takes me on an emotional journey. The passion that is put into the music translates perfectly every single time it's played and is only conveyed tenfold live. Goosebumps

NPR, I'm still waiting for Ben's Tiny Desk Concert.

5 years on and still the greatest moment ever captured on Jools programme.

It’s almost like the crowd paused before the applause in awe of what they have just witnessed! Incredible performance