Billy Bragg
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11:42 am, March 26th, 2014 - 10 comments
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I can’t think when the last time I’d been along to a gig or a concert was. Years probably. But Lyn dragged me (kicking and screaming) to the concert by Billy Bragg last night at the Powerstation in Auckland that was pretty damn good. These days I’m pretty portably connected so I don’t feel like I’ve left half of my brain behind when I head off on holiday or to a social event.
There are better reviews of it than I can give. For instance this one by 13th Floor.
Billy Bragg is no stranger to New Zealand, although the opportunity to see him with a full band is a rare thing. So, while seeing Billy in concert is always a good thing, this time around it was especially fine.
Decked out in a red, country and western-style shirt, Billy Bragg and his band (Kenny Dickenson, keyboards, CJ Hillman, guitar & pedal steel, Dave Evans, bass and Luke Bullen, drums) stepped out onto the stage at the Powerstation and began their two-hour set with Ideology.
Billy himself was in superb voice, sounding much more musical that he has in his solo appearance. It seemed that playing with the band encouraged him to concentrate on his singing more than usual.
I can’t speak to that. The last time I heard him was decades ago when we were both a wee bit younger when his accent was somewhat more more difficult to understand and I had less problems standing up for two hours.
Digging around youtube this morning I found this version of “The Great leap Forward” from Sydney in 2012, which was pretty close to the version I saw towards the end of the set last night (ignore the lousy focus at the start). Coincidentally at the time I was checking the Nexus7 for trolls who needed my personal sysop attention…. 😈
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx47A8ocOHE
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“….Lyn dragged me to the concert…”
Lyn has good taste, she’s a “keeper”.
I figured that out five and half years ago.
“Good on ya mate”
I’m not much of a fan of Bragg’s music tbh… but massive respect for his politics and right on attitude!
During his 2012 solo tour he did a Fundraising Concert for the Beatbox (a stand alone band rehearsal facility made of modern quake safe modular boxes and will house four varied sized self-contained isolated soundproofed rooms with in built PA & AC systems along with meeting rooms) which is being built to replace the dozens of rehearsal spaces in CHCH lost to the earthquakes
He’s donated more proceeds from this tour to the project http://christchurchmusic.org.nz/beatbox
As have a number of international touring musicians (to Beatbox and other charities) – which is pretty cool.
“Braggins” has credibility still, did the Woody Guthrie project etc. He is a bit of a one trick muso sonically but I was won over in the mid 80s when he fronted a peace Concert at Victoria Park in Auckland. The Herbs boys were ‘herbing up’ in an old Triumph, and Bill wanted a effing cup of tea! Which was provided in a styro cup.
People who take social media into concerts…. Hmmmm….
😈 I actually don’t use “social media” that much. I really don’t have the time.
I have connectivity everywhere. I’m a programmer who is usually also keeping an eye on 10 or more servers scattered across work, home, and in a few racks. When one goes down my phone usually tells me. Need the tablet to look at the problem and to correct it if I can using their ‘keyboards’. If I don’t have connectivity – you can be virtually certain that is when something falls over.
I also moderate this site. I try to do that every 2-3 hours during the day and evening. Otherwise the accumulated comments get too tedious going back through the pages of 50.
Billy Bragg – still well worth listening to.
Ideology.
Thanks, LPrent, I enjoyed the clip.
This made me laugh. Bill Bailey performs his Bragg Spoof “Unisex Chip Shop” with help from Bragg himself:
Have you shouted her a thank you meal? or some other benefit?