Willie Nile will perform at The Outpost in the Burbs in Montclair, May 3.
Beloved rock ‘n’ roll troubadour Willie Nile will perform with his band at The Outpost in the Burbs in Montclair on May 3. His energized and joyful shows often compel his audience to dance in the aisles. When that happens at Outpost, a venue housed in a church, I consider it a holy act.
His concerts also serve as a catharsis. This man feels for those in need and isn’t afraid to express outrage about what is happening in America, politically.
A Buffalo native and longtime New York City resident, Nile recorded his self-titled debut album in 1980. Despite early industry setbacks, he has endured, and since the late 1990s he has has created many stunning albums.
Here are excerpts from our recent interview.
Q: Your latest album The Great Yellow Light is an example of your sustained and powerful songwriting. You’re such a prolific songwriter. What drives your continued desire to write poetic and resonant songs?
A: Thanks, Cynthia. I still feel the same as I did years ago in that I just write about the world around me, whether it’s love, loss, good times, bad times, world events, etc. I still have the passion for life that drives me.
Q: Though you’ve been playing for decades, your shows are still fresh and energetic and your music is as compelling as ever. The years have not dulled your stage presence. What still excites you about performing?
A: I love the music and playing the songs lifts my spirits, plus I’ve got a world class band to help bring the songs to life. It’s a celebration every time we play and it’s a feel-good show so people who come out have a great time and their spirits are lifted the same as ours. I don’t know why the fire still burns as much as it does, but it does, and I’m deeply grateful for that.
The cover of Willie Nile’s 2025 album “The Great Yellow Light.”
Q: I previously interviewed you about your rousing anthem with Steve Earle, “Wake Up America,” from your latest album. Do you think this song and others from the album like “Washington’s Day” and “We Are, We Are” particularly resonate with your audience?
A: When we play those songs, they are always well received. I think people know I’m coming from a place of trying to bring people together and it’s a dark and negative world out there so I think they appreciate the effort.
Q: Will we hear those songs at the Outpost show? Any other surprises?
A: We’ll play “Wake Up America” and “We Are, We Are.” I’m still working on the setlist but there will be some surprises in there. That’s what makes the shows so much fun for us.
Q: Your 2020 album The Day the Earth Stood Still contains a standout protest song “Blood on Your Hands” that brought you together, once again, with Steve Earle. Can you tell me about what inspired that song and its meaning?
A: It was so good of Steve to sing with me on that song. Bless his heart. That song was about COVID and the bad advice we were getting at the beginning of it. It was a real crisis that was being downplayed for political reasons and many thousands of people died as a result of it.
MICHAEL STAHL, portraitsbymichaelstahl.com
Willie Nile performs at a Light of Day show at The Outpost in the Burbs in Montclair, in January 2026.
Q: When I’ve seen you play at Outpost in Montclair, I’m always amazed by your intimate connection with the audience. Tell me about that.
A: Well, I’m deeply grateful to people for coming out to the shows and I give them everything I’ve got. I wouldn’t have it any other way. If I can’t bring my best then I’m not going to do it and it ends up being a very communal experience for all of us, performers and audience alike. Life is hard for everybody and I believe that music can be healing. So many times after shows people have told me they were down or suffering for one reason or another and coming out to the show lifted their spirits. That makes me feel great. The music makes me feel better playing it and if it makes people feel better hearing it, then it’s all worth the effort.
Q: You’ve performed on stages with artists who share your spirit and conviction, including Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith. Can you tell me about those experiences and their influence on your life and career?
A: I’ve been very fortunate to have gotten the support and getting to play with many artists that I love and respect. Bruce, The Who, Ringo Starr, to name a few. Opening shows for The Who all across the country on a tour in the early days was a real kick-starter. It helped me believe I may have something worth offering and pursuing. And playing with Bruce many times has been amazing! Bless his rock ‘n’ roll heart!
I’ll never forget being onstage with him at Giant Stadium in front of 70,000 fans going crazy! It was so much fun. And getting to sing “With a Little Help From My Friends” with Ringo is something I’ll never forget. These things have made all the hard work and ups and downs of a career as an artist well worth it.
WILLIE NILE
Q: I know that Bob Dylan has admired your work. Have you shared a bill with him? What does he mean to you? When did you first meet him?
A: I’ve never shared a bill with Bob but have been a huge fan of his work since I was a teenager. He opened a lot of doors for a lot of people and he continues to inspire me to this day. I met him in Toronto back in 1980 after one of his shows. He’s the Shakespeare of rock ‘n’ roll and I’ll always have deep respect for him.
Q: You have been part of the Light of Day shows for many years, raising funds for research to cure Parkinson’s and related ailments. Can you tell me about some memorable moments from those shows?
A: It’s been a joy and a pleasure to be a part of Light of Day since the beginning 26 years ago. Bob Benjamin deserves all the credit for us raising upwards of $8 million towards research for Parkinson’s, ALS and PSP. Getting to play with Bruce whenever he comes to the shows is always magic and a great thrill. I think seeing Michael J. Fox sitting on the stairs at The Stone Pony waiting to join Bruce onstage years ago was another high point for me. He was having a tough day with his Parkinson’s and I was watching him waiting to go onstage and he was clearly very nervous and pretty scared. The bravery and courage it took for him to get up there and get a guitar and join Bruce and the band is something I’ll never forget.
WILLIE NILE
Q: What’s next for you, including upcoming shows and events?
A: I’ve got a solo/storyteller show at Joe’s Pub on May 6 in NYC coming up, and shows at Penn State and in Pittsburgh on May 9 and 10. Then I head out to California for more solo shows in mid-May. And we have our annual big birthday bash at The Vogel in Red Bank on June 6. That’s always a magical night. And beyond that there’ll be more shows and maybe some recording.
Q: When you’re not touring, where do you feel most comfortable? Your hometown of New York City, I’m guessing?
A: When not touring I’m either in NYC, Italy or in Buffalo visiting my 108-year-old father and family. I’m most comfortable when I’m with family and friends.
Q: When you’re not writing about or singing about life, what do you like to do?
A: I like to wander in nature or relax on a beach somewhere to get away from it all.
Q: How’s your remarkable dad doing? Can he travel to join us in Montclair?
A: Dad is doing well, all things considered. At 108 years and some 156 days old he’s now the 20th oldest man in the U.S. He’s amazing! He takes no medication, which is unbelievable, and does crossword puzzles four to five hours a day. It’s not easy being 108 but he never complains and still lives at home. One of my brothers lives with him. We’re beyond lucky to still have him with us. He won’t be able to join us in Montclair, but he’ll be there in spirit.
Willie Nile will perform at The Outpost in the Burbs at The First Congregational Church in Montclair, with Debra Devi opening, May 3 at 8 p.m. Visit outpostintheburbs.org.
For a chance to win two tickets, send an email with “Nile” in the subject line to njartscontest@gmail.com by noon April 29.
For more about Nile, visit willienile.com.
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