Essentially Wille and the Bandits is a classic blues rock band much in the vein of Cream or The Jimi Hendrix experience. But in a similar way to how these bands pushed the genre in their time, Wille and the Bandits try to take their sound beyond what is expected of such a traditional line up.

The use of more bizarre instrumentation and eclectic influences in the song writing often pushes them more into a world music or progressive category. Having toured with artists such as Deep Purple through to the John Butler trio and played major festivals across Europe, the band seem to leave an equally astounding impression on audiences of all ages and musical backgrounds with their energetic and soulful performances.

They have received great critical acclaim, being voted in the top ten must see bands at Glastonbury 2014 by BBC Radio 1 and reaching number 2 in the UK blues chart with their first single on downloads alone. Now touring their third independently released studio album Wille and the Bandits fan base, repertoire of sounds, styles and innovation seems to be growing at an exponential rate.

The band are praised in the press for their albums; bursting at the seams with textures, originality and soul. Rock legends such as Ian Paice, Joe Bonamassa and Francis Rossi have also praised the band’s musicianship and their unique edge to Rock and Blues.

It’s rare to find a band as dynamic as Wille and the Bandits, one that is just as comfortable and as impressive at both ends of the sonic spectrum. In the modern age of disposable music it is refreshing to hear a band that still value the art of creating albums and who continue to bring new instruments and ideas into their songwriting rather than settling for a tried and tested formula. Ten seconds of Youtube will not scratch the surface of the band’s sound and message; this is a band that is very much about discovery and one best experienced LIVE!.

“Wille and the Bandits are a blues rock powerhouse.” – Guitarist Magazine

“If you give them a chance, these Bandits may steal your heart – they have mine.” – Powerplay Magazine

“Their thoughtful ambition, allied to hard-touring independence, remains refreshing.” – Classic Rock Magazine

“So many bands slavishly advertise their record collections and ape their heroes to the point of pale tribute. Wille & Th Bandits take their influences and refine and develop them into a sound that is entirely theirs.” – Blues Matters Magazine

"howling, cinematic psychoblues ... breathtaking" - R2

“These boys can groove and sing like whiskey angels and it doesn’t take long to realise why they belong on the festival circuit.” - Glastonbury festival

Known for his arresting, husky vocals and gritty, blues-infused pop/rock, Dan Owen is a British alternative singer/songwriter from Shropshire, England.

Owen became interested in music at an early age, taking up guitar at nine years old and performing with his sister, who had taken up singing. Their Dad encouraged them to perform at open-mike events at local pubs throughout their teens. After his sister left for University, Owen took to performing solo and began appearing at live events at various pubs and clubs throughout the area surrounding Shropshire. Performing under the name “Bluesboy Dan”, he gradually earned a committed fan base with his passionate versions of songs by artists such as Robert Johnson and John Lee Hooker while also focusing on writing his own material.

In 2012 an online video of the young guitarist performing Bob Dylan’s “The Ballad of Hollis Brown” began to generate widespread attention. After a couple more years of relentless performing in which he began to include his own songs, he was signed to Atlantic Records in 2015 and put out his debut EP, Bad for Me, later that year. In 2016 he put out his second EP, Open Hands & Enemies, before a European tour with Birdy as support act.

He then spent 2017 writing and recording his debut full-length effort. The album — titled Stay Awake with Me — arrived in August 2018. Owen promoted the record with a U.K. and European tour that fall. Dan has toured UK and Europe with the likes of Kaleo, Alice Merton, Tall Heights, Seafret, 2 tours with Birdy, a full US tour with Blanco White, other supports from Manfred Man, Valarie Dune, Paul Jones, Brian Adams and our very own Wille and the Bandits.

The second album from the Shrewsbury troubadour landed on Nov 24th. The Willow Tree is Dan Owen’s most honest and real music to date. It contains cuts from songwriter royalty – the late, great Scott English and incredible guitar playing from Canadian master Ariel Posen.

Quote from Dan about the album: “This is the album I’ve always wanted to make. From every word sung, every note played and even the unplanned dog barking in the background of Call Out, they’re all moments I’ll always remember.”