THE VOICE OF CORNWALL
Will Keating is a Cornish folk singer whose powerful voice carries the spirit of Cornwall’s Celtic past into the present. Through heartfelt songs in Cornish and English, he celebrates ancient stories, rugged landscapes, and community pride, inspiring audiences to discover Kernow’s distinctive heritage, language, and living traditions. His music keeps Cornwall’s Celtic identity vibrant, proud, and shared across generations today.
THE MENTOR & THE MUSIC
THE HARRY GLASSON CONNECTION
Harry Glasson & Will Keating on stage at The Hall For Cornwall, November 2026
In 2016, deeply inspired by Cornwall's traditions and the songs of his mentor, singer-songwriter Harry "Safari" Glasson, who had his vocal chords removed in 2009 due to cancer, Will began performing solo with his acoustic guitar and stompbox. Harry's iconic songwriting became the true catalyst for Will's solo career.
This deep respect culminated in Will's acclaimed debut album, Cornwall My Home (Kernow Ow Thre), which was recorded specifically as a tribute to Harry's fantastic songwriting. Today, Will's repertoire proudly weaves together Harry's compositions alongside his own original songs and traditional Celtic folk tunes.
The bond between the two friends remains a cornerstone of Will's journey, highlighted by the unforgettable moment they shared the stage together during Will's milestone, sold-out performances at the legendary Minack Theatre & Hall For Cornwall.
“The album is a worthy tribute to Harry’s fine songs, some of which I hadn’t heard before. And some of which brought a tear to my eye. My mother was Cornish, and the land is very dear to my two brothers and me, especially the far western peninsula.”
Will Keating’s debut album, released in 2017, celebrating Harry’s songwriting
Will's roots run deep as part of the popular Falmouth-based male vocal group The Oggymen. Celebrated for their humour and beautiful four-part harmonies, the group has been a cornerstone of his musical journey. Performing with The Oggymen at venues such as the Iconic Glastonbury Festival Pyramid Stage, the Minack Theatre, Hall for Cornwall and the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival.
The Oggymen
The Cornish have a proud tradition of expressing their loves, beliefs, hopes and fears through music. Songs chart the history of Cornwall's Methodist past, the hardships of life as a tin miner, the peril of those at sea, or the lament of the cousin jack, longing for family and familiarity whilst working a long way from home.
These songs are part of our culture; a bridge to both the past and the future. As we grew up in Falmouth we heard these songs regularly. Fathers sung them in male voice choirs, friends sung them after working boat races, brothers sung them gig rowing, and we all tried to sing them down the pub...
COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION
For Will, music and community are inseparable. During the 2020 lockdowns, he lifted spirits with weekly live streams that received a global audience, also hosting a poetry challenge on BBC Radio Cornwall to connect those in isolation. He has also championed communal singing, working with over 15,000 Primary School Children, and professional rugby teams such as the Cornish Pirates. In 2022 Will produced the single, An Ordinary Man, to highlight food poverty in the UK and the rise in male suicide.
His dedication has taken him to iconic stages across the country. Singing with communities as west as the Isles of Scilly and as north as Orkney! Will produced a Cornish Mass sing event for a 1000 children to take part in at the Hall for Cornwall in 2024/2025 and 2026.
Royal Navy Veteran
Will is a proud Patron of Forces Veterans Sailing Charity “Turn to Starboard” and in 2026 circumnavigated the UK on two Tall Ships, with other veterans, carrying the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 flag. Will organised 23 events around the UK, connecting UK communities through Songs & Music.
Will worked with the Royal Navy Rugby team in 2025, bringing them closer through singing together. Will sang live from the Royal Box at the Alliance Stadium in May 2025, before and after, the inaugural Royal Navy Vs Army fixture. The Royal Navy team secured victory, and completed back to back victories in 2026 for the first time since 1938/39.
GOING SOLO
In 2016, Will made a bold decision. He left his full-time job to support his wife and four children entirely through his music. He hit the road with his acoustic guitar and a stompbox, learning from every performance and playing over 80 gigs in his first year alone.
This relentless dedication led to the release of his acclaimed debut album, Cornwall My Home (Kernow Ow Thre). The record was a true community affair. It ambitiously featured local choirs, the Helston Town Band, award-winning local musicians, and beautifully, his own wife and daughters.
Iconic History
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In February Will Keating & Carrick Bend went on a 9 day tour up to North Wales to discover more about the similarities between the two cultures and languages.
The highlights were performances at Welsh Folk Festival Gwyl Y Pathau Bychain and the making of a film which was subsequently put on You Tube. In March Will produced and performed at a sell out concert at the beautiful Alverton Manor in Truro and was very much looking forward to a full production show at the Minack Theatre in May, which was postponed due to Covid.
During Lockdown, Will continued to brighten spirits when he performed a live stream, every Thursday evening, after the NHS and Key Workers hand clap. Will also set up a Poetry Challenge for those in isolation and had a feature on BBC Radio Cornwall for 8 weeks, reading out the poetry sent in.
On August 17th, Will performed a sold out solo gig at the legendary Minack Theatre, the highlight of his career so far.
Will was also able to perform alongside his four Daughters and Harry Glasson.
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Will set up his first Folk Band “Carrick Bend” to compete at the Kan Rag Kernow (Cornish Song competition) at the end of January! Carrick Bend (a maritime knot joining two ropes of any type together) performed a song in the Cornish language that Will wrote whilst on board the Scillonian on the way over to the Isles of Scilly.
Throughout 2019 Will continued to gig extensively, finding new venues and audiences. 2019 highlights include: In May, Will embarked on a week long tour of Scilly with Cornish Banjo player John Dowling.
They bonded extremely well, on and off the stage, and this led to more duo performances and possible future tours together. At the end of October, and to help celebrate England Rugby Team making it to the final of the Rugby World Cup with two Cornishmen in the squad, Will produced the single Swing Low Sweet Chariot, which included a 170 children from the England players schools in Penzance, Cornwall. The single was released on November 2nd.
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Will spent most of his time gigging around local venues promoting his first solo album Cornwall My Home (Kernow ow Thre).
As well as performing live on BBC Radio Cornwall on a number of occasions, Will also produced, and performed in, Cornish Folk Concerts around the County. These Concerts featured special guest musicians including Davey & Dyer, John Dowling, Anna Dowling, Rob Norman, Lizzie Pridmore, Claudia Lang-Colmer, Kevin Brinn and Rob Norman, as well as, local children’s choirs.
Will played at iconic Cornish venues such as The Watering Hole, Penlee Park Open Air Theatre, The Tolmen Centre, The Acorn and The Poly, to rave reviews.
During this year Will toured the Isles of Scilly three times and in September, supported, alongside Lizzie Pridmore, for Dalla at a special re-union gig at the Town Hall on St Mary’s.
2018 also saw Will collaborate with Davey & Dyer for the first time in a dual headline Concert and Cornish photographer James Kitto, inter twining both art forms, at the sold-out Concert at The Poly in Falmouth. Out of County, Will gigged in North Somerset, his place of Birth, and two gigs in London which were well received, but his feet were killing him!! -
As well as gigging extensively around Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Will produced and recorded his first album Cornwall My Home (Kernow Ow Thre), which was a tribute to the fantastic song writing of friend Harry Glasson.
The album included two live tracks recorded at Will’s sell out Cornish Folk Concert held in the historic St Senara’s Church, Zennor, in September 2016. It also ambitiously included the fabulous Helston Town Band, The Oggymen, Truro High School for Girls Choir, Students from Falmouth University, and Will’s Wife and four Daughters!!
Will brought in award winning local musicians, most of which he met by chance, including Fiddler Anna Dowling, Banjo player John Dowling, and veteran Double Bassist, Claudia Lang-Colmer, formerly of the Ivy Benson Big Band!!
The album was produced and mixed with a local Sound Engineer, Brendan McGreal, from the Cornish Underground. During 2017, Will also supported award winning group The Changing Room at The Acorn, Penzance and Calstock Arts Centre.
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In March 2016, Will set out on to his first solo gig at The Witchball, on the Lizard Peninsula. Will had left full time work and had put himself in the position that he had to gig extensively, in order to earn the money to look after his wife and four children.
He performed over 80 times that year, learning from every performance and gaining followers and repeat bookings.
The highlight of the year was a Cornish Folk Concert at the stunning 12th Century St Senara’s Church in Zennor, which Will produced and performed at. The Concert also featured The Aggie Boys Choir, MacQuarrie & Toms, local musicians and King Charles Primary School Choir, including Wills Daughters.
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Will has played at many festivals and wonderful venues over the last few years Solo, Duo and with The Oggymen, including, The Hall for Cornwall, Minack Theatre, Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, Porthleven Food & Music Festival, Tunes in the Dunes, Falmouth Oyster Festival, Looe Music Festival and Looe Saves the Day.