Billy Bragg is still as powerful as ever. His guitar skills have only improved with time. Exhilarating and inspiring one-man show, full of hope, optimism, strength, and solid advice about the importance of staying connected to and involved in our community. The Uptown Theatre in downtown Napa provides incredible acoustics, a clean and inviting concessions and reception area, great seats, and an intimate environment with the performer.
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About
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.
Rating: 5 out of 5by concertgoer102 on 11/1/10Uptown Theatre Napa - Napa Rating: 5 out of 5 Billy Bragg in Napa??
by jwnors on 11/1/10Uptown Theatre Napa - NapaBilly Bragg never disappoints, he is politically in your face through his music and dialog. He is the voice of conscious that we all can benefit from listening to. Great Show. I still can't believe he played Napa...Nice job Uptown for getting him here.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Billy Bragg was great!
by Pohlkat on 9/16/10Vogue Theatre - IndianapolisBilly Bragg played the Vogue Theatre in Indianapolis, IN on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 and was one of the most engaging, intimate and impressive shows I've seen this year. This was my first time seeing Billy Bragg live and I will definitely go see him again. Playing a variety of favorites, he kept the crowd up and singing along and was genuinely connecting with everyone. Darren Hanlon opened the evening and is a great talent as well. I'm sure he gained several new fans, including me. If you have the opportunity to see this tour - do it.
Rating: 5 out of 5 An evening with The Milkman of human kindness.
by Crooker on 9/16/10Vogue Theatre - IndianapolisWhat else can be said? It doesn't get any better than a guy on a stage with only his Telecaster, an amp and a distortion pedal along with great songs! His stories between songs were funny, insightful and poignant. Overall incredible show.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Be prepared to be preached to...
by bmhender on 9/16/10Vogue Theatre - IndianapolisI've been a Billy Bragg fan for the past 18 years. This is the 3rd time I've seen him live and I have to say, "what a disappointment". The music remains solid but we were forced to sit through at least 7-10 minutes of pro-socialism, anti-republican party rhetoric between EACH SONG. I have don't really care what your political views are -- support whatever you like, but we came to hear Billy sing, NOT TALK. In two hours, he sang maybe 12-13 songs. That equates to 50% of my concert experience consisting of being preached to about fascism, socialism, the Tea Party, Glen Beck, Sara Palin, Barack Obama, Tony Blair, the IMF, World Bank, G20 nations, the Labour Party, etc, etc, etc. For an artist with so much talent and so many great songs, all I could think throughout the duration of the concert was "SHUT UP AND SING". Sadly, I think this will probably be my last Bragg concert.
Rating: 5 out of 5by CoCoCeibhfhionn on 9/14/10The Ark - Ann Arbor The Ark is one of the best venues anwhere for this type of storytelling musician. As always, Bragg gave a top notch performance. Strong sexy vocals. The notes from his guitar were as emphatic as his message. Sad the night had to end, but wait, it didn't. Everyone in that audience took away something that will change how they change the world. -Thank you Billy
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 9/13/10The Ark - Ann Arbor An excellent concert in an amazing venue. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Braggin on Billy Bragg
by ajindetroit on 9/13/10The Ark - Ann ArborBill Bragg is not only a singer, songwriter,musician par excelllance, he has a repoire with the audience that most musicians can only hope for. Between songs, Billy weaves stories about topics from soccer to politics - always with an eye to illuminating a better way forward. His message is simple. We can make a difference when we realize that we have the power, together, to make a better world. His songs and words beautifully and sometimes plaintively describe a world where social justice and peace trump greed and hostility. As he says in his song, Must I paint you a picture?
Rating: 2 out of 5 more like a political rally
by ksed on 9/13/10The Ark - Ann ArborI guess I should have anticipated it, but I was unprepared for the amount of political commentary he gave. I found myself thinking, "shut up and sing!" I left wondering if he sang as much as he talked. When he DID sing, it was great. And The Ark is a great venue. But I will not go to another of his concerts.
Rating: 5 out of 5 In the Lion's Den Bill Bragg is....
by gwaightee on 9/13/10The Ark - Ann ArborSultry, sexy, and a socialist. It was a great show in a great venue!
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 9/13/10The Ark - Ann Arbor Amazing and inspiring. Great songs and stories for a perfect concert!
Rating: 5 out of 5 billy bragg
by billybraggshow on 9/13/10The Ark - Ann Arborincredible solo show. played mainly older stuff. billy stayed around after the show to meet fans, sign stuff, and take pics. really nice guy.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Vintage Billy, Still Fighting The Clampdown
by lethbridgeloans on 11/27/09Jack Singer Concert Hall (ECPA) - CalgaryGreat show. The Max Bell concert hall is a nice venue, comfortable seats, great acoustics. Billy put on a fairly predictable and solid set. His vocals were very smooth, seems he is learning to sing a bit after all these years. Great music, good message, a little politics thrown in. Billy always makes sure to bring back some of his old songs and a few of the ones you always wished you could hear live. Openers were Ron Hawkins and Kris Demeanor. Hawkins had a great sound, really reminded me of some early Bragg stuff. A bit of a country flavor at times, but tons of emotion and well written original songs. I bought his CD at the show I was so impressed with him. Demeanor is a unique act. He is a bit music and a bit of spoken word artist. I actually googled him up after the show, he has some pretty cool accomplishement so far. The guy won or was in the running for some serious awards. He was quite entertaining, at times humorous, and in the moments when he would step out of his character and let his guitar take over, he was a great musician and singer. He did a tune called 'DoubleDown' that with a little commercial polish could launch this guy.