Willy Mason

Willy Mason – John Peel Stage, Friday

One of the most fantastic sounding artists I’d ever heard on vinyl I was determined to get to the John Peel stage to see him regardless of the natural obstacles in our path. As it turned out it wasn’t that much of a hike and we arrived in time to catch a little or MIA before an unassuming bespectacled man took to the stage as sung like a tortured angel to a crowd who so reverently applauded it was like watching a gig in heaven!

It’s a totally spellbinding and set and with the help of his band he plays numbers to move the soul. Once he’s done with each song the crowds applause is the most genuine I’ve ever heard anywhere. We are listening to true raw talent by the bucketful and as his guitar weeps and sings his voice carries us to the edge of the world.

The guitar playing alone would take me pages of superlatives to try and explain, it’s free flowing blues as though he should be a grizzled veteran of the instrument. Then there are his words, his poetry is beautifully crafted and uplifting of the human spirit and at times wrenched with irony. Then there is the delivery slightly off key but all the better for it a new breed of Bob Dylan.

I thought his debut album ‘Where The Humans Eat’ was fantastic but played live it has an extra dimension, the up-tempo ‘Got To Keep Moving,’ a tale of life on the road, goes down a reverential storm, and the quiet enthralling ‘Hard Hand to Hold’ about being homeless is never more poignant for some of us caught in the deluge of the morning.

The true gems in a set full of treasures are ‘Our Town,’ with it's Jim Morrison styled lyrics and foot stomping groove, ‘Where The Humans Eat’ with a chance for us all to join in on the singing, ‘When the River Moves on’ is heart melting and the stunning recent single ‘Oxygen,’ with its unforgettable melody and huge hook of ‘on and on and on it goes, the world just keeps on spinning.’ is delivered with incredible majesty and I can’t stop singing it for the rest of the festival.

Willy is my highlight of the whole festival, he creates a vibe to lift you from inside as no other act ever has, if you have the chance to see him do so. I promise you, you won’t leave disappointed. If he can sustain his drive Willy could soon be the biggest star of his generation.

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