Billy Bragg
Salisbury City Hall
25th May, 2007

View: front, tiered seating

It’s long been a feature of The Bard’s gigs that he talks almost as much as he sings and, here, he concentrated exclusively on the former, to tell us about the ideas behind his book The Progressive Patriot. The ‘cabaret table’ layout on the main floor seemed incongruous, but as a natural raconteur and debater he held the attention and answered questions well. The main thrusts were how he became politicised by Rock Against Racism – stressing it was not the bands, but the crowd, that had the greatest impact – and how there’s a need for a British/ English Bill Of Rights. Not everybody agreed, but it was an interesting evening. I did sort of miss the love songs, though.

Reviewed by Richard Nash
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