Gig review: Wille and the Bandits at The Bodega

Make no mistake, these guys have serious form, sharing the stage with some of rock music’s greatest including Deep Purple, Francis Rossi and Joe Bonamassa, the latter praising Wille’s skills on the steel lap guitar. They have also made big impressions elsewhere, having played at Glastonbury, with BBC Radio 1 billing them as one of the top ten bands you must see at that most prestigious of festivals. Just a few days before starting out on this latest tour, Wille had been touring alongside the great blues singer, Beth Hart, a clear reminder of the respect that this down-to-Earth Cornishman has in the industry.

This was the third leg of the band’s latest UK tour, having previously played gigs at Shrewsbury and Manchester before visiting The Bodega, a venue that Wille has previously said that he really likes to play. It was a case of buy one get one free tonight, as Wille was supported by fellow Cornishman, James Dixon, who hails from Bude in the North of the county.

James played a meaningful and intimate acoustic set to a very appreciative audience, which included a poignant song about the NHS being free for everyone. Speaking with James after his set, he said that he was really pleased to be playing in Nottingham again, having played here a couple of times before, on one occasion supporting Seasick Steve at The Rescue Rooms.

Both Wille and James told me that they really enjoy the vibrant music scene here, and love upfront friendly venues like The Bodega, where the promoters have a real passion for live music.

After James had finished his set and sold a bit of merch, we weren’t kept waiting too long before Wille and the Bandits took to the stage to start their set, with Wille stepping into the spotlight at the front, whereupon the band proceeded to tear the place apart much to mine and everyone else’s delight. 

These guys really are something special, their style defying standard genre pigeon holing, with hints and echoes of Led Zeppelin and maybe Deep Purple in there, perhaps even with quiet exhortations of Prog Rock, courtesy of Wille’s incredible ethereal sounding lap steel guitar, all tantalisingly conjured up alongside the more gentle acoustic sounds.

The band’s musicianship was never in any doubt, with Wille leading the way; of note was a solid performance from the seemingly indefatigable drumming skills of Zach O’Loughlin, who seemed to be very happy in his work. Tucked away at the back, but no less important, was bassist Harry Mackaill, who kept the show on solid ground, all the time keeping that cool upright posture that many of his contemporaries are famous for. Finally, no blues based band would be complete without the legendary Hammond keyboards, and Stevie Watts fills this role in spades, his pedigree in this field could never be disputed having worked with greats such as Arthur Brown, Steve Winwood, Jack Bruce and Ronnie Scott’s Blues Explosion to name but a few. At the time of writing, Stevie has been shortlisted for this years UK Blues awards instrumentalist of the year.

There was a varied selection from the band’s back catalogue, as well as their more recent offerings, which all added up a very enjoyable experience whether you were familiar with their music, or just a newcomer. I was particularly impressed by a song Wille had recording during lockdown at his Sawmill studios in Cornwall entitled When The World Stood Still. This song’s gentle acoustic rhythms and Wille’s haunting Dobro steel guitar captured that somewhat troubled period in recent history really well.

Mammon was another slow song that built both in its meaning and intensity as did Four Million Days, with its whispered suggestions of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway To Heaven.

Stevie Watt’s skills as “Master of the Hammond” were showcased to great effect in Angel, with the distinctive unearthly sounds that are unique to the Hammond, and which most definitely highlight that aspect of Wille’s music that is simply unfathomable in terms of genre.

After playing what was announced as their final number, a track from their Kernow sessions album, the rocking Keep it on the Down - Low, the band responded to the pleadings of the crowd to play some more with 1970 and Bad News filling another fifteen minutes of music before finally calling it a night.

Wille reappeared shortly afterwards at the merch stall, to chat with fans and friends alike as well as sell some shiny vinyl, CDs or maybe a bespoke T-shirt or two. Wille was really friendly to all who approached him, and very kindly assembled the band together for a group photo.

Wille and the Bandits performed at The Bodega on 8th March 2025. They will be playing at the other end of the Brian Clough Way at The Flowerpot in Derby on 27th March. 

@willeandthebandits