Willie J Healey has today dropped new single, ‘The Apple’, and announced an extensive tour, which includes serving as the special guest for Idles on their UK tour later this year.
Healey, known for his unique blend of ’70s funk and soul with modern R&B, continues to evolve his musical style following the acclaim of his latest album, Bunny.
Healey describes ‘The Apple’ as a continuation of the creative process that shaped Bunny. “I wrote ‘The Apple’ after feeling weird and self-aware. I was living in my head until I realised, man, life is short… so be yourself, get your cake, and fu*king eat it!” Healey said about the new track. The single was recorded in New York with Loren Humphries, who has worked with notable acts such as Florence + The Machine and Arctic Monkeys.
READ MORE: IDLES tell whynow about the basslines that made the band
The song’s video (just below), directed by AJ Stark, showcases Healey’s dynamic performance style, employing innovative visual techniques that play with depth perception to striking effect.
2023 was a standout year for Healey, earning him high praise from industry figures and critics alike. BBC Radio 1’s Greg James called him “a completely brilliant singer-songwriter,” while Steve Lamacq of BBC 6 Music praised his individualistic approach to music-making.
The upcoming tour promises to be a busy period for Willie, kicking off next month in the UK before he heads to Europe for his first headline tour there. Notable UK festival appearances include Latitude, Truck, and Tramlines festivals.
Upcoming Willie J Healey Tour Dates:
May:
- 1st: Exeter, Phoenix
- 2nd: Bath, Komedia
- 3rd: Cambridge, Mash
- 4th: Southampton, Wanderlust Festival
- 5th: Tunbridge Wells, Forum
- 7th: Ipswich, The Baths
- 8th: Leicester, O2 Academy
- 9th: Hebden Bridge, Trades Club
- 10th: York, The Crescent
- 11th: Blackpool, Bootleg Social
- 12th: Hull, Central Library
- 16th: Paris, Point Éphémère
- 17th: Brussels, Rotonde
- 18th: Amsterdam, London Calling Festival
- 19th: Nijmegen, Doornroosje
- 21st: Berlin, Maschinenhaus
- 22nd: Munich, Ampere
- 23rd: Fribourg, Fri-Son
- 24th: Bologna, Locomotiv
July:
- 26th: Suffolk, Latitude Festival
- 27th: Oxford, Truck Festival
- 28th: Sheffield, Tramlines Festival
August:
- 9th: Newquay, Boardmasters Festival
- 31st: Manchester, Psych Festival
November (Special Guest to IDLES):
- 23rd: Glasgow, OVO Hydro
- 24th: Newcastle, O2 City Hall
- 25th: Nottingham, Rock City
- 26th: Nottingham, Rock City
- 29th: London, Alexandra Palace
December (Special Guest to IDLES):
- 1st: Brighton, Centre
- 3rd: Birmingham, O2 Academy
- 4th: Birmingham, O2 Academy
- 6th: Manchester, O2 Apollo
- 7th: Manchester, O2 Apollo
- 8th: Manchester, O2 Apollo
Photo credit: AJ Stark
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