BILLY BRAGG CELEBRATES 40 YEARS AT EDINBURGH’S USHER HALL

★★★★☆ (4/5)

BILLY BRAGG PERFORMING AT EDINBURGH’S USHER HALL CELEBRATING 40 YEARS.
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN

Billy Bragg, came, he saw, he made us laugh, he played some great music (newer songs and older), he made some serious points, he told us some great stories and he eventually got at least one person up dancing (you know who you were but I was sorry to see someone else complain they couldn’t see Billy).

I was a Billy Bragg live novice when I turned up last night, luckily my seat was in the stalls quite close to the stage so I got to experience Billy up close and personal.

I’ve been listening to him since the 80’s and while how often I’ve listened has waxed and waned my love for him has not wavered.

He is a man of strong principles which has been reflected in his music over the years but recently he’s also taken a strong swerve into Americana and allowed his love for Woody Guthrie to come more to the fore. He played much of the show on his own but had supporting musicians on a variety of instruments which added to the experience.

The show itself was proceeded by a 40 minute film, which I won’t give you any details of but which covered Billy’s 40 years of live performance. It is worth getting down early to see it if you’re a true fan.

As for the show itself, what surprised me most was just how good Billy’s voice is live, it has a timbre and range to it that I don’t think I’d fully appreciated before, add in some of the best songs of the last 40 years and an audience who were very in touch with the man and his music and all in all it was a tremendous night. Levi Stubbs Tears, The Milkman of Human Kindness etc etc.

As I said earlier Billy strongly retains his political principles and while not everything he said on stage was warmly applauded by all of the audience there were some aspects that brought people together, especially regarding the importance of looking out for each other and helping each other and every time he sang a union related song the audience engagement went up a level.

What I was surprised by was how much I laughed, as well as being a tremendous singer and songwriter Billy is also a top notch raconteur, I don’t think I’ve ever heard an impression of Paul Weller quite like the one I heard last night and the running shacket story was a delight.

The encore was Billy playing Lifes a Riot with Spy vs Spy in full, which meant he closed on the iconic New England. However, the audience sang along to every part and were mostly on their feet for the whole of the encore. Personally I may have sung myself a little bit hoarse during the final songs and had to explain the next day at work why I was so croaky but it was totally worth it.

If you have a chance go and see the Roaring Forties tour, this is a man in his prime playing some of the best music of his life while totally embracing his musical heritage. It was a joy and a delight, thanks Billy!