Ahead of his highly anticipated album ‘Bunny’ and a huge gig at Finsbury Park, musician’s musician Willie J Healey ran us through ten of his festival-ready tracks.

It’s all systems go for Willie J Healey, with a jam-packed summer season coming up and the anticipation of his release, “Bunny” – out 25th August via YALA! Records. Following a slew of European festivals, he’s gearing up for a heavy headline tour across the UK in November. He’ll be setting up at Brighton’s Chalk on the 9th and packing away in Electric Brixton on the 23rd. With 13 exciting shows up for grabs including Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow, knab a ticket here. 

 

But before he sets off on his solo venture, Healy will be also be supporting Jamie T come the 30th of June. At the Finsbury Park all-dayer, he’s joining a stellar lineup of IDLES, Kojey Radical, Biig Piig and Hak Baker. Before the big day, we asked Healey to help us get in the festival spirit with ten of his festival-ready tracks.

"Funky Drummer (Parts 1 & 2)" by James Brown

An honest reminder of how in it you have to be to really turn up the heat. If you aren’t aiming for funky drummer style energy, then something’s wrong.

"Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" by Neil Young

I’ve always loved this song, it’s so raw and sometimes messy. For me live music should be slightly janky at times and on the edge. Neil always gets that balance just right.

"What A Fool Believes" by The Doobie Brothers

Keys keys keys, this one’s for the keys players.

"Let’s Do Our Thing Together" by Chuck Berry

Sexy is important. Chuck keeps it sexy. I use a wah guitar sound throughout my set. This song has my dream wah tone.

"Bennie And The Jets" by Elton John

I’m sure I’m not the only one who gets hyped when I hear Elton John singing like this. Flying by the seat of his pants, that’s how I want to feel.

"War Pigs" by Black Sabbath

Heavy heavy magic. I like to listen to this because... it’s a big nodder.

"Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix

Jimmie’s guitar magic. If me and my band could produce 10% of this heat we’d be winning!

"Here Come The Warm Jets" by Brian Eno

Like weird, muffled sound thunder. Weird is good, we need more. Well, I do anyway.

"I Am Divine" by Ava Cherry

This recording makes me feel like I’m riding on the back of a horse going 500 miles per hour, me in a silk robe. It can’t be beaten. The musicians flying so free on this one.

"Break" by Fugazi

Face melts, ears explode, eyes pop out. Consider me melted in the front row! This track makes me want to run through a brick wall with my trousers tied around my waist. Go go go.

Catch Willie on his headline tour in November here:

9th Chalk, Brighton

10th  O2 Academy, Oxford

11th Hangar 34, Liverpool

12th Whelan’s, Dublin

14th Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

15th The Cluny, Newcastle

16th St Lukes, Glasgow

17th The Mash House, Edinburgh

18th Band On The Wall, Manchester

20th Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

21st Castle & Falcon, Birmingham

22nd SWX, Bristol

23rd Electric Brixton, London