Gary Jules performs at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles on Nov. 29, 2023. Chas Alm/STAFF.

LOS ANGELES — Gary Jules returned to the famed Hotel Café on Wednesday, 20 years after he hit it big globally with his cover of Tears for Fears’ “Mad World.” For Jules, who cut his teeth playing in L.A. but later moved to North Carolina, it was a triumphant homecoming to the venue at which he’d once had a weekly residency. The room was full of family and friends, some of whom joined him on stage over the course of the evening, including Cary Brothers, Kita Klane, David Poe and Sylvain Carton.

Jules’ voice was strong and clear as he played a mix of songs from his catalog, including “Barstool,” from his first album, as well as the yet-to-be officially released “Horses.”

His Los Angeles band included longtime collaborator Al Sgro on guitar, Daniel Rhine on upright and electric bass, and Jordan West (Gracie Potter) on drums. Both Sgro and West contributed beautiful backing vocals to the songs that truly elevated them. Carton joined the band for a few songs, playing flute on one and guitar on another.

Gary Jules performs at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles on Nov. 29, 2023.

Jules was excited about having cellist Oliver Kraus onstage with him.

“If you’d told me I’d have a cellist with me onstage someday, I’d have thought I hit the lottery!” he said.

Kraus’ playing provided the subtle pathos needed for Jules’ famously dour version of “Mad World.” Sgro moved from guitar to a piano for the haunting tune, performing the part originally played by Michael Andrews on Jules’ recording.

Jules thanked Los Angeles DJ Nic Harcourt, who was in the room, for first playing his recording of “Mad World” on the radio back in the day. Then he invited Harcourt’s partner Klane onstage to sing Cheap Trick’s “I Want You to Want Me.” Klane’s retro-siren style was a perfect match for Jules’ acoustic arrangement.

Gary Jules performs at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles on Nov. 29, 2023.

David Poe joined Jules for a rousing cover of David Bowie’s “Ashes to Ashes.” Poe, who has impressive Bowie bonafides, having performed “Blackstar” with a symphony orchestra, was virtuosic. He also cut a striking profile in his sharp black suit.

“He looks like a million bucks!” Jules said.

The duo’s vocals wound together on the outro in an arresting manner.

Jules played some psychedelic electric guitar on “dtla” and mandolin on “Princess of Hollywood Way.” Both songs were practically mandatory at an L.A. show with their shout-outs to local landmarks.

Jules reminisced about the early days of Hotel Café, recalling how it started out as a coffeehouse, and thanked the owners, who were also there. He said it became a second home for him and many of his musician friends. Cary Brothers, who was also a regular performer during those times, joined the band to sing on the emotional “Little Greenie.”

“All wasted days and second chances/ There’s nothing more to say,” they sang together. “If it scares you so/ Then make it go away.”

Jules and Sgro returned after much cheering for a second encore to play “Umbilical Town” together on acoustic guitars before departing the stage for the night. It was a treat for Angelenos to hear it back on the Hotel Café stage again after such a long time away.

Philip Krohnengold, who played keyboard and synth, also doubled as the opening act for Jules. Krohnengold, who also plays with Madison Cunningham, played slide guitar as he sang and was dryly witty in his between-song banter.

Follow writer Rachel Alm at Twitter.com/thouzenfold and Instagram.com/thousandfold. Follow photographer Chas Alm at Instagram.com/chedgepics.