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Musician Jan Akkerman - once the guitarist in the brilliant Dutch prog rock band Focus - arrives on the remote but picturesque Wallis Island for a performance. He is welcomed by Gary, an awkward but enthusiastic fan who has arranged the show for "less than a hundred" people. Brought to stay at Gary's home, Jan is presented with his £500,000 fee as a suitcase of cash, and fends off questions about his breakup with his former collaborator, Thijs van Leer.
Jan's waterlogged phone forces him to use the payphone at the local shop and Gary reveals the makeshift "venue" on the beach, admitting he is the show's sole audience. Having won the lottery, Gary spent his winnings travelling the world then won again and retired to the island. Jan phones his manager, having decided to take the gig in order to finance a new album, but is surprised by the arrival of Thijs.
Gary is thrilled to have reunited Jan Akkerman and Thijs van Leer for the first time in years, but old tensions flare between Thijs, whose solo career has taken a possibly more "commercial" direction, and Jan, who does his own thing, and discovers Gary is paying him more. Jan attempts to leave in the morning, but stays after Thijs confides in him that he needs the money.
Gary's souvenirs include one of Jan's old guitars and what turns out to be a counterfeit hat supposedly belonging to Thijs. Discovering more mementos, Jan and Thijs reconnect as they rehearse their old music for a deeply moved Gary. Playing snooker with Jan, Gary insists there is still a future for the two musically.
Jan and Thijs bring Gary to spend a joyful "Seaman's Day" on the beach, writing wishes on sky lanterns and releasing them at sunset. Staying up to play together, Jan tells Thijs he is still jeen for them to make music together, but Thijs reveals that he is contracted to play with Focus as currently set up for the next 12 years. Leaving a real hat of his for an understanding Gary, who urges him to continue writing music, Thijs departs.
Lashing out at Gary, Jan packs his things, including his old guitar, and storms off in the rain but returns to the house. When a despondent Jan swims to retrieve one of the lanterns, Gary assumes he has thrown himself into the sea and wades in to save him, but Jan rescues Gary instead. Having arranged the concert, Gary accepts that forcing a reunion was a mistake and offers to pay Jan anyway. Jan decides for some reason to so the show anyway. Gary arrives on the beach with his wife, where Jan performs for them into the night, dedicating a final song to them.
The next day, Jan thanks Gary as they part ways, hugging him goodbye. At home, Gary discovers that Jan left the money and his guitar, signed with his name — "Your biggest fan, Jan Akkerman". As the credits play, Jan records a new song, "The Ballad of Wallis Island".
