Willytown Pirates

Willytown Pirates are a German Folk Band inspired by the Seven Seas and maritime folklore, shanties, folk songs and original tales.

We are a crew of pirates from the Golden Age of Piracy. In 1720, while fleeing the empires of the Caribbean, we sailed into a storm and were swept away by a magical wave. When the sea finally calmed, we found ourselves on 21st century Helgoland. Eventually, we settled in Wilhelmsburg, Hamburg. We call it Willytown.

Piracy may be a thing of the past, but the stories remain. Through sea shanties, folk songs and tales from the high seas, we tell the stories that matter to us: stories of friendship, freedom, love, loss, democracy, and the struggle against an unfair world.

“Willytown” – is how the place is affectionately called by us long-established residents. Wilhelmsburg had a negative image for decades and drew attention above all with negative headlines. In 2003, city planners developed the “Jump Over the Elbe” to enhance the district. Almost 20 years later, a lot has changed, and now Wilhelmsburg is also perceived north of the Elbe as what it has always been: colourful, lively and diverse. Pirate culture is popular in the area, with a pirate theme park and adventure golf course developed there.