Wille and the Bandits have built a reputation as one of the most dynamic and electrifying live acts on the rock scene today. From sharing the stage with legends like Joe Bonamassa, Deep Purple, and Status Quo to accidentally parking their van in a notorious Northern dogging hotspot, their journey has been anything but ordinary.
In this exclusive interview, frontman Wille Edwards of Wille and the Bandits shares unforgettable rock ‘n’ roll moments, the lessons he’s learned from music greats like Beth Hart and Don Airey, and why Cornwall will always be home. He also gives us a taste of what fans can expect from their highly anticipated 2025 tour – including a stop at the iconic Half Moon Putney in London.
Get ready for hilarious behind-the-scenes tales, musical insights, and the unfiltered truth about life on the road. Buckle up – it’s going to be a wild ride!
Photo credit: Matt Kebble
On Touring with Legends & Memorable Encounters
Monica: Wille and the Bandits upcoming headline tour kicks off in March 2025, including a show at The Half Moon Putney in London – such an iconic rock stage. What can fans expect from this tour?
Wille: This tour is going to be our most dynamic one to date. From huge riffs to acoustic ballads, we’ll be showcasing the full spectrum of our sound.
Monica: You’ve shared stages with rock icons like Joe Bonamassa, Status Quo, Deep Purple, and Warren Haynes. Do you have any standout stories or behind-the-scenes moments with these artists?
Wille: While on tour with Status Quo, we actually spent Rick Parfitt’s 64th birthday with him. Despite being a multi-millionaire, he kept things simple – we grabbed a shopping trolley, turned it upside down, made a BBQ, and had a great sing-along outside the tour bus. It was a fantastic night, and singing harmonies with Francis and Rick was an unforgettable experience. They’re both great guys.
Monica: Beth Hart has praised your song-writing, and you’ve toured with her as an acoustic duo. What’s the most memorable interaction or lesson you’ve taken from working with her?
Wille: Beth is a true pro. She really showed me how to take care of my voice and properly prepare for each show. She also gave me great advice about blocking out distractions and focusing on writing and the musical side of things, rather than getting side-tracked by the industry and social media.
Monica: You were personally invited to perform on the legendary German TV show Rockpalast, which has hosted some of the biggest names in rock. What was that experience like? Any interesting stories from backstage?
Wille: It was an incredible experience and very nerve-wracking playing live on TV. Looking back, I wish I had been a bit more careful backstage – and maybe not cleared out the beer fridge before the performance!
Monica: Being named one of BBC Radio 1’s Top Ten Must-See Bands at Glastonbury is a huge honour. Did you have any unforgettable encounters with other musicians while playing the festival?
Wille: Not at Glastonbury, but while playing a show in Guildford, our support act was none other than a very young Ed Sheeran. He asked if he could have some beer, which we had to decline as we only had four cans. Four hours later, he returned to see if we had any food tokens, which we didn’t. Little did we know, he would go on to become the huge icon he is today – if only we had given him a beer!
Monica: You performed at the London Olympics after being voted one of the UK’s best live acts. Did you cross paths with any major artists there?
Wille: I’m afraid not, but we did get to meet some of Team GB’s athletes, which was great.
On the Influence & Legacy of Classic Rock
Monica: Wille and the Bandits style incorporates both traditional blues rock and experimental elements. Have any classic rock artists personally commented on your sound or given you advice?
Wille: Yes, Don Airey of Deep Purple played on our album after we toured with them and has been a constant supporter of our music. Many of the stars we’ve played with have been incredibly supportive, as they remember what it was like at the grassroots level too.
Monica: The Hammond organ and lap steel guitar bring a vintage touch to your music. Which particular rock legends inspired your use of these instruments?
Wille: My lap steel playing has been heavily influenced by David Gilmour, especially when playing with an electric sound and delay. As for my upright playing, I don’t use a plectrum and have been inspired by Mark Knopfler’s fingerpicking style.
On Life as a Touring Band & Rock ‘n’ Roll Stories
Monica: Every touring band has a wild or unexpected gig story. What’s the most bizarre or hilarious thing that’s happened to you and Wille and the Bandits on the road?
Willie: Over the years, we’ve had our fair share of questionable places to park our beaten-up panel van. The van was basically just a few sheets of plywood covering our equipment, with a couple of mouldy sleeping bags thrown in for good measure. The two main things to look for when choosing a spot are: 1) flat ground — so you don’t end up rolling into the bandmate you’re lying next to and creating that awkward situation where he starts wondering whether the name Wille and the Bandits carries some deeper implication about your sexual preferences, and 2) a quiet road — so that when you’re sleeping in the van, you’re not suddenly rocked awake by a passing HGV, convinced you’ve been run over in your sleep.
Another important lesson we’ve learned: never take people’s advice at face value. What seems like a scenic and peaceful spot during the day can turn out to be quite the opposite when the sun goes down.
This became painfully apparent when we were told about a Victorian mansion with parking spaces for sleeper vehicles and a huge country park. It sounded perfect. So, after finally managing to get our van started (to the relief of some band members and the amusement of others), we trundled over, expecting a great night’s sleep, surrounded by natural and historical beauty (and no, I don’t mean the band).
However, when we arrived, the place didn’t resemble a quaint, peaceful park-up at all. Instead, it was more like a rural Piccadilly Circus — a hive of vehicle activity, even at 3 a.m. Then it dawned on us… we had accidentally parked in a notorious Northern dogging hotspot.
The reactions among the band were mixed — two members instantly jumped out for a nosey, while the rest of us made sure the van was securely locked, shielding ourselves from the randy northern folk. As two of our bandmates disappeared into the night, our soundman and I decided to bunker down in the back of the van, hoping to avoid the intense, beady stares of these sexually… enthusiastic people.
Unfortunately, we soon realised we had made a critical error — we’d left the van lights on. As it turns out, this is the international signal in dogging language that you’re up for it.
Panic set in. We frantically climbed over the front seats to switch them off, but in doing so, we triggered the van’s alarm. The hazards started flashing right across the manor house, drawing even more attention to us. Now, if simply leaving the headlights on had already sent the wrong message, we really didn’t want to find out what flashing hazards meant in this particular setting.
Our options were limited: 1) sit and wait it out, 2) unlock the van and risk a mass invasion by these nocturnal creatures of lust, or 3) abandon ship and flee towards civilisation, hoping to live to tell the tale.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the alarm stopped — but the hazards remained, constantly illuminating the crowd of people gathered around our van, peering inside. Then, like Batman and Robin, our two missing bandmates suddenly jumped back in, shouting, “Let’s get out of here — this is proper weird!”
We fired up the engine, wheel-spun away into the night, and were very grateful that our windscreen wipers worked. As we sped off, like a wave retreating from the shore, the crowd melted back into the undergrowth and scattered vehicles, disappearing into the darkness once again.
Monica: You’ve remained based in Cornwall rather than relocating to a music industry hub. Have any legendary musicians ever visited or commented on your choice to stay true to your roots?
Wille: Oh yes, there are lots of musicians down here – Thom Yorke, Seasick Steve, Andrew Ridgeley, Tori Amos, Roger Taylor, and many more. It’s a hugely inspiring place to live, and I was never prepared to leave. Surfing, fishing, and the beach life with my family are incredibly important to me and my kids. The connection to nature is a huge part of why I choose to live in Cornwall.
Monica: If you could step back in time and tour with any classic rock band from the past, who would it be – and why?
Wille: The Rolling Stones – what a career those guys have had, and they’re still making awesome music to this day!
