Wille & The Bandits/True Strays –
The John Peel Centre, Stowmarket, Friday 6th March, 2026
The award-winning John Peel Centre presents Cornish Blues, Folk, Latino, Roots Rock band and so much more from Wille & The Bandits. Bristol based True Strays are support playing an infectious blend of Americana infused Blues. What a night it proved to be, with both bands proving masters of their craft.
Tonight was my first experience of True Strays; it won’t be my last. At Stowmarket they appear as a trio, with brothers James & Joseph Cameron at the core and front of things with Jay Shaw on drums.
 True Strays - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 2 |  True Strays - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 8 |
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James oozes charisma as he sings plays, guitars and synths. Brother Joseph is the perfect foil with great vocals of his own along with his bass and guitar duties. Jay provides the beat and swing for the brothers to embroider and embellish, something they do with great aplomb.
I can’t pick out a single moment as the high point of their set because it came and went with effortless ease and class. Quite simply, the True Strays deliver their music with artistry and brotherly chemistry, it is something that I need to hear more of.
 True Strays - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 16 |  True Strays - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 15 |
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 True Strays - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 14 |  True Strays - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 13 |
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 True Strays - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 11 |  True Strays - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 9 |
Headliners, Wille & The Bandits are a new band to me, I only got to know of them and hear their music the week prior to this gig. I was immediately excited to be seeing them on discovering they come from Cornwall.
On listening to their new album, Salt Roots, I was totally blown away by its breadth and scope. In my album review I describe their music thus; “it changes direction more frequently than a surfer on Fistral Beach. The album has enormous depth and magnitude.
 Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 1 |  Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 8 |
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 Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 7 |  Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 6 |
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 Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 2 |  Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 3 |
 Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 16 |
The gig opens with ‘Wheal Jane’ an ode to the Cornish tin Mining industry. It is a great start where Wille immediately projects his personality, his vocal range being superb. Wille and his band of eco warriors, you only have to listen to ‘Trouble Round The Bend’ to realise the murky, unsanitised filth that gets poured into our waterways to understand the environmental issues that affect us all.
On stage, Wille is a striking figure his use of Lap Steel Slide is magical. He is a master of all the six string instruments he chooses to play. This creates his magnetic presence. The evening of music is spectacular but I feel stage craft wise other members could do a bit more to make themselves more of a focal point.
Joe Harris does all he can from the drum stall to make connection with the audience. This is done by his sheer exuberance and smiles. Stevie Watts on Hammond Organ and Piano is put in a plum position to perform at the front of the stage but he doesn’t engage with either my camera or those in attendance. His playing is excellent but it lacks character.
 Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 18 |  Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 17 |
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 Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 15 |  Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 14 |
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That leads me to Harry Mackalli on bass. Again, he is an excellent musician but he doesn’t really express himself or communicate. It is like he is shackled to the floor unable to move forward into the space in front of him. It makes him difficult to photograph and leaves the enigmatic Edwards out front on his own.
Apart from these presentation gripes the gig is superb with if not all, almost all of 'Salt Roots' getting played (unfortunately there was no set list on the night and I cannot find one.)
Wille & his Bandits take a brief break before the encore begins with the quite beautiful ‘Sail Away (Mayflower)’, which is my personal highlight of the night. This ebbs into the shitstorm that is ‘Trouble Round The Bend’. I suggest you watch the video while not eating your dinner! Another favourite comes quite early in the set in the shape of the exquisite ‘Take My Shoulder’.
 Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 28 |  Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 27 |
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 Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 26 |  Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 25 |
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 Wille And The Bandits - Stowmarket 06 03 26 - Photograph 19 |
I know this isn’t particularly detailed, perhaps I have failed to paint a picture of proceedings. However, despite my seemingly negative comments regarding two of the players let me tell you that the music that was created was magically sublime.
Salt Roots will almost certainly be in my top albums of the year and Wille Edwards is a fantastic frontman and performer. Maybe he should encourage the others to grab their moment in the spotlight?
By Paul Mace