John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett
A double act built on genuine musicianship and total physical chaos — self-described as rock's great failure, and beloved precisely for it.
John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett have worked together, on and off, since the 1970s. Otway, from Aylesbury, supplies the songs and the flailing, self-endangering stage presence; Barrett is the multi-instrumentalist who anchors the whole thing on guitar, fiddle and whatever else is to hand. Their partnership has broken up and reformed more times than either seems able to count.
They reached a wider audience in 1977 with "Really Free", helped by a television appearance in which Otway injured himself on an amplifier stack. Otway later returned to the singles chart in 2002 with "Bunsen Burner", released through a campaign organised by his own fans to mark his fiftieth birthday. "Beware of the Flowers" remains the song most often requested.
Festivals John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett is playing
John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett at a glance
What festivals is John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett playing in 2026?
John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett is booked at 1 festival: Rebellion 2026.
When does John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett play at Rebellion?
Friday, August 7, 17:50 at Opera House.
Where is John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett from?
John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett is from Aylesbury, UK.
What kind of music does John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett play?
John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett is tagged comedy rock and folk rock.
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The StranglersSlaughter & The DogsSteve Ignorant Band Crass SetUK SubsBar Stool PreachersThe CourettesThe Good, The Bad and The ZuglySham 69Anti Nowhere LeagueFerocious DogGoldbladeTV Smith & The Bored Teenagers
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