George Ward
Freelance journalist and online editor for CLUNK. Can be found out and about in Bristol, finding cheap records or having a pint on King Street.
Willie J Healey returns to Bristol with huge SWX show, bringing his new album to life with a full band and revisiting old favourites
Willie J Healey is a fascinating artist. If you compare his first album ‘People And Their Dogs’ with his most recent ‘Bunny’, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re listening to two entirely different musicians. The first time hearing ‘Bunny’ was a bit of a shock to me, having come to expect low-key, romantic indie tunes from Healey. What he was delivering here were far more danceable, joyous and poppy cuts.
As soon as he began his set last week, it all came together and began to really make sense. The new tracks fully gained a life of their own, aided by Willie’s incredibly infectious frontman energy and his equally incredible band. Songs would last several minutes, fading from melodies to jams to rambles to melodies once again. You could feel just how much fun the entire band was having and it gave their material so much more character.
‘Bumble Bee’s funky bassline, sexy vocals and playful synths opened the set on the most optimistic note possible. In a lovely Q&A moment between artist and crowd Willie revealed it was his favourite track off the new record.
The majority of the setlist was taken up by this new album, from ‘Little Sister’s joyful groove to the slower crooning of ‘Black Camaro’. Giving these songs room to breathe with improvisation, extended jams and solos was absolutely the right move and the complete tightness of the band is testament to the talent of each and every member. And, more importantly, the clear connection they each have with one another.
I would have been disappointed if we didn’t get a few older tracks and, luckily for me, I was in luck. ‘Subterraneans’, a highlight from ‘People and Their Dogs’ was beautiful live, perfectly paced and beautifully performed. Equally beautiful was ‘We Should Hang’ which saw Healey stand centre stage performing solo. The mix of over-the-top worship and touching honesty in these lyrics were left completely exposed in this performance and the rawness of the vocals hammered this home.
After closing with a couple of bangers from ‘Twin Heavy’, the show was over. After seeing countless punk bands recently, it was a lovely change of pace to see Willie J Healey back home in Bristol. The atmosphere was wonderfully relaxed and, as the band glided through each track seemingly effortlessly, it was a pleasure to watch such a confident and laid-back set from an indie-pop legend.
Listen to ‘Bunny’ here:
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