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BILLY BRAGG IN CONCERT:
British folk-punk icon and all-around agitator Billy Bragg has been rousing fans with his biting wit and galvanizing protest songs since the late '70s. The line between art and politics has never concerned Bragg – he's an outspoken left-wing activist, and he makes no apologies for using his music as a platform to share his message with a wider audience. In concert he keeps things simple, strumming his guitar and delivering songs like "Whose Side Are You On" and "Take Down the Union Jack" with a cheery attitude that belies their weighty themes. Bragg is a man with a message, but he's far cry from a humorless pedagogue – whether he's railing against fascism, promoting a multi-racial Britain, or simply singing a love song, he manages to do it all with a warmth, humor, and poetic sense that leaves ticket buyers wanting more.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Essex-born Stephen William "Billy" Bragg started writing poetry and playing guitar in his teens, but it wasn't until he saw The Clash perform at a 1978 Rock Against Racism event that he developed an interest in social causes. Merging his love of poetry with his newfound political passion, Bragg began penning protest songs and performing them on the streets of London. He managed to get a demo tape to an exec at Charisma Records, and in 1983 the label issued Bragg's debut album Life's a Riot with Spy Vs Spy. Featuring seven politically charged songs and clocking in at just over 15 minutes, the record wasn't expected to be a hit, but listeners loved it – the album cracked the Top 40 on the UK Albums Chart and ultimately went Gold. Bragg followed up with a string of Top 20 albums including Talking with the Taxman about Poetry (1986) and Workers Playtime (1988), the latter of which spawned the No. 1 hit "She's Leaving Home." Since then Bragg has remained both musically and politically prolific, supporting various leftist movements and releasing more than a dozen albums including 2016's Shine a Light, a collaboration with American folk hero Joe Henry.
Over the course of their career, Billy Bragg has played at venues such as the Buckhead Theater in Atlanta and have brought places like Ridgefield Playhouse in Connecticut to maximum capacity.
There's always something nice about a Billy Bragg concert, but this one was pretty sleepy. He played a buch of songs from his new record which is kind of down tempo. It was perfectly nice and all, but I can't imagine anybody left thinking that it was really fun or great.
First time seeing him and his refreshing honesty about what it means to be a part of humanity. What a wonderful human being. Wish I knew more of them!
I have to say that I was very disappointed with the concert -- I didn't go in with high expectations but was hoping to leave the evening inspired or enlightened and I left feeling frustrated and disappointed. I obviously knew Billy Bragg was politically outspoken (which I appreciate and is one of the things I love about him) but I didn't think that 70% of the concert would be preaching whilst the remainder was music. While it is great to be politically outspoken, it shouldn't be the lead act at a concert.
Great show. First time seeing Billy Bragg. I was surprised that he played with a full band. I was sort of expecting a solo show. I liked him playing some solo electric guitar songs from his back catalog. Kim Churchill was a bonus. It is nice when the warm up act does not bore you to tears.
Billy Bragg has a great voice and clearly enjoys being in front of an audience, but his performance on Saturday night at Town Hall would infuriate any music lover. I share most of Billy's political views, but I don't go to concerts to hear simplistic, puerile rants about health care and activism and gay marriage. Sing more, lecture less, Billy. You came off as a tedious high school teacher who can't even illustrate his cant with interesting anecdotes. The glee over Margaret Thatcher's death is in extremely poor taste, and do you have any idea how many times you said: "I'm a" or "I'm not a"...(country singer, folk singer, punk, etc)? Seriously, buddy, you've become so narcissistic. Not one love song!!!! I would feel I'm owed an apology and a refund for sitting through that tendentious twaddle, but I really appreciated Kim Churchill, so at least Billy follows through on his interminable sermons and shows generosity to promising young talent that needs such help. But I don't know if I'll risk another Billy Bragg concert, because, if I want repetitive, reductive political views, I'll stay home and watch CNN.
Billy Bragg is a polished performer, offering his views on society through music and verse.
Fine time. Great place to see him and we had a clear view of the stage. Most of the audience seemed to be genuine people and real fans of Mr. Bragg. if I understood more of his accent I might have been better off but it gave us more to argue about later. The band seemed really included in a nice way. Would see him now every time he's in town...
Billy Bragg's performance was GREAT. However, your SOUND SYSTEM sucks. It was very difficult to hear both the songs that he sang as well as his comments. My wife and I also had the same problem of hearing at the performance of Dr. John.
Billy Bragg is an incredible entertainer. I went in knowing very little about him and his work and came out knowing I would see him again and again (and that I need to beef up my music collection.) He is so witty, comical, and genuine, and of course - incredibly talented. And the boys in the band accompany him splendidly (and are a crap ton of fun to talk to after the show...they are, however, not very good leg wrestlers)
This may be the 5th time in the last 20 or so years I have seen Billy Bragg in concert. It was great. He gets better as he gets older! I did miss hearing my union song though.
I first saw Billy 20 years ago in Melbourne, Australia! He's arguably even better these days! Great band and sound as well. Highly recommended.
Excellant entertaining evening. Quality performer with plenty to say
We went to see a night of wonderful music and instead was subjected to political ranting.
From the opening act - Kim Churchill - to the final encore this was a great show. Bragg took the stage with 4 musicians and brought the goods. I have seen him perform with just a guitar in the past so the vibe of the show was different. He played a nix of old and new with stories between songs. If you are a rabid fan it was tremendous. If you are new to Bragg, you will leave entertained and enlightened. Catch him if you can.
What an amazing gig. I last saw Billy Bragg way back in 1990 in Australia and he was sensational then, as he was Saturday night. As is his way, you feel that you are sitting at a bar chatting with him about social issues with a lot of humour mixed in. His musical performance was amazing too. The first third of the gig was Billy and his band. The second part was just Billy and his guitar and then the third part was Billy and his band again. The set list was a great mix of songs from his latest album "Tooth and Nail", as well as his early stuff, including "Milkman Of Human Kindness" which is always a treat live. Post show is amazing too. Bill stands in the foyer and greets, chats, has photos taken and signs stuff for each and every fan! He doesn't rush you through and seems genuinely pleased to meet each person. At this concert he was out in the foyer for well over an hour and a half, which given the length of the concert, all the prep work, not to mention sleeping in the back of the tour bus right above the axle, he must be absolutely exhausted, but this does not show in any way, shape or form and he is happy, attentive and absolutely a man of the people!
Billy was as talkative and political as ever, a given if seeing Mr Bragg. Not for the conservative-minded. He threw in a few funny jokes and anecdotes. His energy and passion are still evident. Time hasn't affected his voice and his band was superb. A great balance of old and new songs. Fully engaged with the audience. Exceeded my high expectations
It was really good would have preffered to hear more old songs but overall a great time!
Billy is a down to earth, amazing man who speaks for the "little guy". It amazed me that he hung around after the show to meet the fans and never did so begrudgingly.
Billy Bragg played at the Birchmere on June 24. The first hour was Woody Guthrie songs in a tribute to 100 years since his birth. The selection was mostly of unknown Woody songs, some of which were stirring, some of which were mediocre. The last 40 minutes were filled with Bragg songs. He seemed to be going through the paces on them until he hit Levi Stubbs Tears and There Is Power In A Union. Of course, there was the witty and political banter by Billy between the songs. The concert would have been better if Billy had put more energy into the set of his songs and had played a few more of his old chestnuts.
Excellent Show. Informative, entertaining and impressive.
