"numb fingertips from the guitar playing last night. .. worth it coz I get to tell people I played Lincoln Center with Billy Bragg!!" - Marsha Burnett

Billy Bragg at Lincoln Center (via Ian Jane)

Billy Bragg kicked off the FREE Lincoln Center Out Of Doors 2011 season on Wednesday (7/27) with his "Big Busk". He invited people to play and sing along to the songs, many of which were covers. I pictured it more like a parade, but he basically just played from the stage. Some in the audience had guitars. Ian Jane writes:

Bragg launched into a cover of Johnny Cash's I Walk The Line... not the greatest starting point and probably the worst song of his set. From there he covered The Monkees, Smokey Robinson, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Marley, The Weight, and most puzzlingly, Cee-Lo Green (turning 'Fuck You' into 'Forget You' as there were kids in the audience). As far as material from his own catalogue, the only tracks we got were Power In A Union (itself a cover of sorts but one of Bragg's most powerful songs) and New England (the only track that really seemed to have everyone in the crowd singing along). He came out for a quick encore and did a rock solid cover of Kristofferson's Me And Bobby McGee before finishing the night.

Check out a video of Billy Bragg covering The Band's "The Weight" below.

Lincoln Center Out of Doors continues with free outdoor shows through August 14. On Saturday (7/30), Ponderosa Stomp: A Girl Group Extravaganza will take place at Damrosch Park Bandshell with performances by members of girl groups including The Crystals, The Chantels, The Jaynetts, The Angels, and others. On Sunday (7/31), Mavis Staples performs at Damrosch Park with The Relatives who will be making their NYC debut. Blitz the Ambassador plays Damrosch Park on August 7 with Spoek Mathambo and Iyadede. Laurie Anderson and Friends play Damrosch Park on August 10 with many guests including Caleb Burhans, Conrad Harris, Yuki Numata, and others. Bettye Lavette, Ellis Hooks, and Dylan LeBlanc play Damrosch Park on August 14. Many other events will be occurring throughout the series too. Full schedule HERE (and below).

Billy Bragg plays his last of three City Winery shows tonight (7/29). That show is sold out. Video and Out of Doors schedule below...

Continue reading "Billy Bragg did his Busk, Lincoln Center Out Of Doors continues (Ponderosa Stomp & Mavis Staples this weekend)"

As previously mentioned, but in the words of a new article in the Wall Street Journal:

On Wednesday, Richard Robbins will take his two daughters, Ava, who is 5 years old, and Ella, who is 3, to the Damrosch Park Bandshell, where they will join the British singer-songwriter Billy Bragg and an anticipated crowd of 5,000 in a giant sing-along. It's called the Big Busk, and if Mr. Robbins gets his wish, one of the 10 or so tunes they'll all perform will be "Paradise City," by 1980s hard-rockers Guns N' Roses.

"Where better than Lincoln Center for Billy to release his inner Axl Rose?" asked Mr. Robbins, a 42-year-old digital strategist for a Manhattan public relations firm. The song isn't the most obvious that one would associate with Mr. Bragg, a post-punk folkie known for his activist political stances. It just happens to have a chorus that Mr. Robbins's little girls love to sing. And that's the whole idea.

To busk is to play music on the street or subway, likely with an instrument case laid open so passersby can toss money in appreciation. Mr. Bragg, who is 53 years old, supersized the venerable troubadour tradition in 2007 when he staged the first Big Busk at the reopening of the Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank Centre in London. It's become a biannual tradition there, with audiences invited to bring acoustic guitars or other instruments, or simply join in the chorus, as Mr. Bragg and his band play familiar songs limited to four or fewer simple chords.

On Wednesday, Lincoln Center will launch the summer season of its Out of Doors series with an American edition of the hootenanny in Damrosch Park.

Billy will also be playing three shows at City Winery while he's in NYC. All three are now sold out though City Winery's site says "More tickets have become available. Please call 212-608-0555 Ext 472."

Pete Seeger at Clearwater 2009 (more by )

The 2011 edition of the Clearwater Festival boasts some big names over its two days, June 18th and 19th, in Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. Founder Pete Seeger will be joined by Drive-By Truckers, Martin Sexton, Indigo Girls, Josh Ritter, Arlo Guthrie, Suzanne Vega, Billy Bragg (who plays NYCx3 a month later), and man other artists who are listed elow. Tickets are still available.

In related news, Martin Sexton will play four NYC shows before that Clearwater appearance, as part of a residency at City Winery. Tickets are sold-out for Martin Sexton on June 2nd, 3rd, & 4th at the venue but he just added a fourth late show on 6/4, and tickets are still available.

All Martin Sexton tour dates and the full Clearwater lineup is below.

Continue reading "Clearwater Fest 2011 lineup & other Martin Sexton dates"

If on you're way out of the subway in late July you happen to notice a busker that looks a helluva lot like Billy Bragg surrounded by an army of other guitar-weilding maniacs, don't be alarmed. The spectacle is just the opening act for the two+ week Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival, which will feature shows with Mavis Staples (as discussed), "Laurie Anderson and Friends", Bettye LaVette, a girl-group heavy Ponderosa Stomp, the 28th Annual Roots of American Music Festival, The Bar-Kays, and many, many others at the Damrosch Park Bandshell and other Manhattan locations from July 27th until its close on August 14th. The full schedule is below.

Billy Bragg leading The Big Busk in the UK

The Big Busk is the first performance scheduled (and it happens twice on July 27th), and will see Bragg leading a play-along concert flanked by an army of cue-cards detailing what chords he is playing. Check out a video from a 2008 'Big Busk' that took place in England, below.

Billy Bragg will also make up his cancelled dates from earlier this year around that 7/27 appearance. He'll play City Winery in NYC on 7/26 (tickets), 7/28 (tickets) and 7/29 (tickets).

All Lincoln Center festival dates and lineups, and all Billy Bragg tour dates are below.

Continue reading "Lincoln Center Out of Doors 2011 schedule announced, rescheduled Billy Bragg dates too"

IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT I MUST CANCEL MY US TOUR
It is with deep regret that I must announce that I have had to cancel my US tour, which was due to start in Brownfield, Maine, on 24th March. My mother was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and her health has deteriorated to such a critical extent in the past week that I am now unable to fulfill these dates. As her life slips away, I feel that my place is by her side.

Details of rescheduled dates and/or refunds will be available soon.

Billy Bragg

Billy was scheduled to play City Winery in NYC on March 29, 30 & 31.

Mavis Staples' new Jeff Tweedy-produced ANTI-released album You Are Not Alone was released in September (it was MOJO's #12 album of the year). Mavis will continue to support that record at various shows in 2011. If you missed her on October 6th at City Winery, she returns to NYC to play the Bell House on January 18th (the same night as Prince's final MSG show). Tickets are on sale for the Brooklyn show which is being billed as "with special guests".

In March Mavis plays a series of dates with Billy Bragg right before he plays three of his own shows at City Winery.

Jeff Tweedy, like he did on the Colbert Report that same week, played with Mavis at City Winery in October. Videos from that show, Colbert and Jools Holland, with all tour dates, below...

Continue reading "Mavis Staples playing shows in 2011 (Bell House included)"

Join the legendary Billy Bragg for a triplex of club shows in the intimate setting of City Winery in late Spring. Bragg, the much loved and highly regarded folk master songwriter, returns to New York City for the series -"At Home In the City" - where he'll perform a varied and eclectic selection from his storied career.

These three dates are your only chance to enjoy the mastery of Billy Bragg in a warm and inviting setting - think of them as conversations over a glass of wine with an old friend. [City Winery]

The shows are March 29th, 30th and 31st. All dates below...

Continue reading "Billy Bragg playing 3 nights @ City Winery, other dates"

Francesco Santocono: "'81"
A Voice Heard on Baer Mountain: "Autumn"
Sarah Katheryn: "Baby Birch"
Joel Cathey: "Book of Right-On"
Guy Buttery: "Book of Right-On" (instrumental)
Josh Mann: "Bridges & Balloons"
Chris Leeds: "Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie"
Ian Cooke: "Colleen"
This Is Deer Country: "Easy"
Doublewuzzy: "Flying a Kite"
Rosa Hinksman: "In California"
White Elephant Gift Exchange: "Inflammatory Writ"
Ian Cooke: "Monkey & Bear"
Billy Bragg: "On a Good Day"
Kristina Forrer: "On a Good Day"
Owen Pallett: "Peach, Plum, Pear"
M. Ward: "Sadie"
Ben Sollee: "Sawdust & Diamonds"
David Miele: "Soft as Chalk"
The Moscow Coup Attempt: "Sprout and the Bean"
Melissa Stylianou: "Swansea"
Jennifer Schmitt: "This Side of the Blue"

That's the tracklist and cover of Joanna Newsom tribute album Versions of Joanna, due out digitally in December, with proceeds going to Oxfam according to Pitchfork. M. Ward's version of "Sadie" is on there. There are also covers by familiar names like Owen Pallett, Ben Sollee, Billy Bragg and Francesco Santocono. Just kidding, I never heard of Francesco Santocono, but now I have! You can check him out covering "81" in a video below. Actually, did they just scour Youtube to find tracks to put on this comp? I think so. Josh Mann, Sarah Katheryn, and an especially good one by Joel Cathey are down there too (and those are just the only four I googled).

Joanna Newsom plays Carnegie Hall tonight! She is not however appearing on the The Simpsons...

"[On October 19th], a rumor of Joanna Newsom appearing on an upcoming episode of The Simpsons quickly circulated on the Interweb. This appears to have originated in an article from Malibu Magazine that was unfortunately incorrect and misunderstood. (Malibu Magazine has now corrected it online.) Joanna Newsom has released a statement regarding this rumor:

"Regrettably, the awesome rumor of my upcoming cameo on The Simpsons is unfounded. I remain, however, steadfast as always in my commitment to the character of Lisa, whom I have of course had the privilege of voicing for the last twenty-one years, in my dreams. Thanks for the memories, gang!" [press release]

Speaking of Owen Pallett, tickets are on sale for his March 9th show at Markin Concert Hall. Those Joanna covers below...

Continue reading "a Joanna Newsom tribute comp, Carnegie Hall tonight "

Memorial Day Weekend officially opened the summer, and for those in the Pacific Northwest it also brought Sasquatch Music Festival (pictures from all three days are coming soon). Now the lineup for its Labor Day cousin, Bumbershoot 2010, has been announced. That fest, happening at Seattle, WA's Seattle Center September 4th-6th, will include headliners Bob Dylan, Mary J. Blige, Weezer, Hole, Rise Against, Neko Case, The Decemberists, J. Cole and "one more very special guest to be announced soon."

Tickets (including non-Mainstage 'economy' passes) are on sale now. The rest of the lineup (by day) for the seven-stage festival is posted below...

Continue reading "Bumbershoot 2010 lineup (Bob Dylan... Hole... Mary J Blige)"

words & photos by Andrew Frisicano

Wednesday - The Middle East @ Club DeVille (more by Tim Griffin)

I started toward MtyMx about 4 hours after my last SXSW show, so I haven't had much time to reflect on what happened in Austin - but before they become too irrelevant, here are some quick pictures and words of my personal highlights at the fest.

The Middle East covered the stage with an arsenal of instruments and percussion, bringing out a flute, a banjo, keys, an accordion, and a rain stick covered in bottle caps. Their set kicked off with a wobbling country-western number. "The Darkest Part" was a solemn, two-member affair, with the others jumping in as it progressed. And the barn-burning jams that built up to their finale, "Blood," brought to mind the more unhinged tunes Mumford & Sons (it clicked a moment later that they're touring together this May). Overall: a tight, short set (with a few nervous slips) in front of Club DeVille's cave-wall backdrop, which hopefully will lead into an engaging debut and tour.

Thursday - Thee Oh Sees @ (Spider House &) Lamar Pedestrian Bridge

I caught Thee Oh Sees twice on Thursday - once on the gorgeously sunny garden stage of the Spider House; once on a footbridge over Austin's Lady Bird Lake at 2am - and they played other shows as well. On the bridge the band traded songs with Home Blitz, who looked not-exactly-pleased to be standing in the freezing wind at 3am. Amps, a PA and a few worklights ran through a generator, and the assembled equipment threatened to topple over from the surging crowd. The band stretched out into extended jams that made the bridge literally shake. After a more than generous set, the crowd still prodded Dwyer and Co. for more, which they gave.

Friday - Billy Bragg @ MWTX Festival

Billy Bragg's set, to the wristbandless masses of MWTX (formerly Mess with Texas) focused nearly as much on politics as it did on music. He buttered up the crowd with "Help Save the Youth of America" and "To Have and Have Not" before speaking about healthcare reform, defeating the BNP and the ubiquity of corporations at SXSW ("This set is brought to you by my sponsor: Woody Guthrie."). His inspiring asides were genuine and welcome, and they lead into the crowd-pleasing closer, "A New England." He played again later on Friday night with a ton of guests.

Friday - Man or Astroman? @ MWTX Festival

On a completely different note, Man or Astroman? (back after a bit of a hiatus) headlined MWTX's south stage in full space regalia, with video flashing in the background and a pre-recorded narrator between songs. Their short burst of mostly instrumental surf-rock was anything but boring, and they closed it out by flicking on a huge Tesla coil.

Saturday - Major Lazer @ Carniville

My expectations were pretty low for Major Lazer, who were playing to an iced-over crowd on the massive, corporated-out stage at the Mexican-American Cultural Center (aka the Mad Decent/Iheartcomix/Jelly-presented Carniville for the fest), but they proved me wrong. The antics of hypeman Skerrit Bwoy and dancer Mimi made the frozen crowd erupt (the free T-shirts and foam guns being thrown off the stage helped too) - they mounted and humped everything in sight including crowdmembers, the rigging for the lights, and a ladder, which they used to dive onto each other for more dryhumping. Diplo got through most of Guns Don't Kill People, Lazers Do, with a brief assist from Ninjasonik. Did I mention the huge pink, furry monster on stage? He got some too.

Saturday - The Very Best (and then Freddie Gibbs) @ Scoot Inn

At Scoot Inn, the frigid evening grew on and most of the crowd there for the Pitchfork showcase stayed huddled around a campfire or in the bar's sauna-like interior - until The Very Best (who I missed opening for Major Lazer a few hours earlier). Esau, with a huge grin on his face, his co-mic-man (whose name I can't remember), a pair of dancers and DJ Johan Hugo all made good use of the short set. Their energy passed through the mic into crowd members for songs like "Julia" and "Warm Heart of Africa," which finished with plenty of the crowd on stage.

Freddie Gibbs, who I had never really gotten into before, was up next and seemed similarly unfazed by the cold as he rapped confidently about gangsta life. A handful of friends passed around a blunt and ceded the floor to Gibbs, who cooly made converts with his laid-back approach.

Saturday - Sleigh Bells @ Scoot Inn

Sleigh Bells brought the energy back up for the last set of the night (and for some, of SXSW). Despite being a relatively new commodity, both the band's halves, Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller, are assured, polished performers, and they made their appreciation for the crowd clear with their faultless set.

My many other highlights (bands I'll definitely be catching again in the future) included Califone (in NYC 3/30 & 3/31), La Strada, The Sandwitches, Kid Congo Powers, Private Life/Katie Stelmanis, Happy Birthday, Avi Buffalo, Man Man (who I've seen before, but seem to have a new thing going on) and Think About Life.

More pictures from all the sets above (and a ML video), are below...

Continue reading "SXSW 2010 highlights by AF (Thee Oh Sees on a bridge, Man or Astroman?, Major Lazer, Sleigh Bells, Billy Bragg, more) - pics"

photos by Tim Griffin

For all I know, lo these many hours later, the Jail Guitar Doors are still rocking onstage at the Ghost Room, one musician/activist after another taking the stage in apparently endless succession. At the shank's end of Friday night, the loose-knit collective of folkies, rockers and rappers showed no sign whatsoever of relenting as last call inexorably approached.

After taking the stage almost an hour late, ringleaders Billy Bragg and ex-MC-5 guitarist Wayne Kramer set up housekeeping on the tiny corner stage and began ushering one guest star after another in from the outdoor beer garden.

It was a case of hey, look, there's Chris Shiflett of the Foo Fighters! There's Mike Mills from R.E.M. rocking CSNY's "Ohio!" There's Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello shredding guitar with funk-rappers Street Sweeper Social Club! There's Billy Bragg wryly declaiming the origins of Jail Guitar Doors to Wayne Kramer, standing at his side: "I said I named it after a song by the Clash," said Bragg. And Wayne said, 'Yeah, I'm in it.' I said, what? He said, 'What's the first line?' and I realized it was 'Let me tell you about Wayne and his deals with cocaine.' I felt about this big."

Bragg went on to explain that JDG (which Kramer aptly described as "the loudest charity on earth") was formed in England as a collective of musicians who put the redemptive power of music into action by making instruments and outreach programs available to jail inmates. An ex-con himself, Kramer became an ally with Bragg and helped get the ball rolling on this side of the pond. Their SXSW gig, they said, marked the American debut of Jail Guitar Doors.

Just that morning, said Bragg (a lifelong political activist for a host of social justice causes), the group had played at the Travis County Jail. "This is the after-party," he said. [Austin 360]

The above-described Jail Guitar Doors show was one of a few Billy Bragg played in Austin this SXSW. Another show (which is pictured in this post) was Monday night (3/15), before SXSW Music even started. It was at the "British Music Embassy" (@ Latitude 30, 512 San Jacinto). The "Strummerville / Jail Guitar Doors Presents" show also featured sets by Chris Shiflett, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Beans On Toast, Smokey Angle Shades, Nat Jenkins, Supernovas, and The Good The Bad (who were fresh off the plane from NY). More pictures from that show below...

Continue reading "Billy Bragg played SXSW (pics), played w/ Wayne Kramer, Tom Morello & other special guests for Jail Guitar Doors"

by Andrew Frisicano

Tinariwen @ (Le) Poisson Rouge in April (more by Tim Griffin)

Malian band Tinariwen recently won the 2009 Uncut Music Award for best album (given by Uncut Mag) for their record Imidiwan:Companions. The 11 member jury, which included Billy Bragg and Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold, voted the album the "most inspiring and rewarding" of the past 12 months over the seven other entries including Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear and Dirty Projectors. For a better idea of the sizable competition, the shortlist of nominees is below.

Tinariwen, who made a good impression at Coachella and played NYC's LPR both in April, will be coming to North American this February. The trip includes a pair of NYC shows: they return to Highline Ballroom on February 18th and then play a rare Brooklyn show (their first?) at The Bell House on February 19th. Ticket info TBA.

Also coming to the Highline in 2010 will be Malian singer-songwriter Rokia Traore for a show on Saturday, April 17th, as part of the World Music Institute Presents: Songs of Mali series. Tickets are on sale. World Music Institute will also bring Nigarian juju legend King Sunny Ade to the Highline Ballroom on April 9th. Tickets are on sale.

For Rokia, the Highline show is somewhat of a makeup show after her Summer 2009 tour was cancelled.

On Friday, March 26th another Music of Mali show will happen with Bassekou Kouyate (who play the ngoni, a West African lute) at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall. That'll be the New York debut of his band and Mali's "first ngoni quartet," Ngoni ba. Tickets are on sale now.

Videos of all four with the Uncut shortlist and all tour dates are below...

Continue reading "Tinariwen win an award, announce tour dates ++ upcoming King Sunny Ade, Rokia Traore & Bassekou Kouyate shows too"

Iggy Pop, Billy Bragg, Perry Farrell, Don Was, Wayne Kramer, Tom Morello, Little Steven & friends @ the Nokia Theatre last night (edenpictures)

tonight in NYC
* Corn Mo @ Sputnik
* Tribeca Film Festival
* Lady Gaga @ Terminal 5
* Ben & Vesper @ Sycamore
* Bamboozle 2009 @ Giants Stadium
* Fires of Rome @ Tribeca Grand Hotel
* Buraka Som Sistema @ Bowery Ballroom
* Superpitcher, JDH & Dave P (FIXED) @ Studio B
* Look & Listen Festival @ Gary Snyder/Project Space
* Hexa, Air Waves, Jared Micah and Hats @ Glasslands
* The Kills, The Horrors, Magic Wands @ Webster Hall
* Bell Denmark, Grey Gersten, Shahzad Ismaily @ The Stone
* Kurt Vile, Gary War, Sightings, Drunkdriver @ Silent Barn
* Bloody Panda, Pontiak, Ocean, Microkingdom @ Death By Audio
* Bat For Lashes, Lewis & Clarke @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* King Khan & The Shrines, Mark Sultan, Golden Triangle @ Maxwell's
* Trevor Dunn's Madlove, Thurston Moore/Daniel Carter/Ryan Sawyer Trio, Pink Noise @ Union Pool

Iggy Pop (as pictured above) played the Road Recovery Benefit last night. Video below..

A video ad/interview with Bell Orchestre below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Saturday?"

Iggy Pop supports Michigan State University's decision to ban animal circuses from campus in 2009 and hopes the school will make the ban permanent.

"As students who are concerned about animal welfare have told you, performing animals are deprived of everything that is natural to them, including the ability to roam, forage and form families and friendships," Pop said in a letter to the MSU Board of Trustees. It was written on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

PETA says the board of trustees decided not to allow the Royal Hanneford Circus (or any others with animal performers) on campus in 2009, for the first time in 16 years. But what about 2010?

"The circus industry is big, wealthy and powerful, and I'm sure that its leaders are encouraging you to reverse your decision," Pop said in his letter.

"I implore you to continue to keep the interests of your students and the welfare of animals at the forefront of your thoughts and stand firm on your policy." [Detroit Free Press]

Neko Case takes a similar stance on zoos.

Iggy, who has a new near-jazz record on the way, is confirmed to appear at the previously-mentioned Road Recovery Benefit happening at Nokia Theatre in NYC on May 1st...

An evening of high-energy rock and roll that's going to be "just loose enough musically that anything might happen," jokes Wayne Kramer... Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine/ Audioslave / The Nightwatchman), Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Don Was, Billy Bragg, Iggy Pop, Boots Riley, Gilby Clarke, Carl Restivo, Eric Gardner, Bun E. Carlos, Handsome Dick Manitoba performing songs together and individually from their respective catalogs, as well as collaborating on MC5 songs and anything else that strikes their fancy

Also joining the show will be Joan As Police Woman, Ours, Miggs, and Road Recovery's Performance Workshop Program "House Band" Crazy James
Emcee: Matt Pinfield (Sirius Radio and RXP 101.9FM DJ)

Tickets are on sale.

Joan as Policewoman opened for Neko Case at the same venue on Tuesday.

Kick Out the Jams (video) below...

Continue reading "Iggy Pop playing Road Recovery show, speaks up on circuses"

Like Fleet Foxes, Billy Bragg added a NYC show at Grand Ballroom in NYC. Unlike Fleet Foxes, this will be Billy's only NYC show on a previously announced October tour. The new show is October 25th - the last night of CMJ. Tickets go on sale Thursday. Video of Billy performing on the Craig Ferguson show, below...

Continue reading "Billy Bragg adds NYC show at Grand Ballroom during CMJ"

DOWNLOAD: Billy Bragg - AOL podcast, June 2008 (MP3)

"Legendary folk/punk figure Billy Bragg is set to tour the US in the lead-up to this years election, making a dozen or so stops along the Eastern Seaboard beginning in mid-October."

Dates below...

Continue reading "Billy Bragg - 2008 Tour Dates"

DOWNLOAD: Billy Bragg - O Freedom (NEW MP3)

Billy Bragg & Kate Nash @ FILTER Courtyard, SXSW 2008 (jinners)

"Our friendship is based around an affinity for the Shangri-las," said Bragg as he strapped on Nash's guitar, suggesting that this was more than just a deft move by her people to insulate her from knee-jerk criticism ("Well if Billy Bragg thinks she's a bit of alright then maybe..."), while also placing her within a grand British tradition of songwriters like Ray Davies, Paul Weller and Bragg himself. The two traded lines like old friends, before launching into a three-song set of the Shangri-las' "Give Him A Great Big Kiss," Bragg's classic "New England" and Nash's "Foundations," a tell-off song that's everything "Dickhead" isn't: clever, introspective and fun. [Time Out]

That's not the first time Billy & Kate performed together - videos from SXSW and another time can be found at the end of this post.

Billy Bragg played a few shows while he was in Texas for SXSW, and then last night (March 16th) he opened for The Pogues at Roseland Ballroom in NYC.

Billy also has a new album coming out April 22nd on ANTI called "Mr. Love and Justice". The MP3 on the top of this post is from that album. Download that now. Then check out the videos of he and Kate below.......

Continue reading "Billy Bragg, Kate Nash, videos, new album & MP3, the Pogues"

'Miss C's arm tatoos, Billy Bragg lyric included (Neil Fitzgerald)

What and where is your tattoo?
It's the start of a half sleeve on my right arm. So far it pictures Jenna Jameson and Dita von Teese (just missing a third girl) with Mucha style flowers and vines around them. It also says "to have an to have not" at the very top.

What does your tattoo mean to you?
Each of the girls I look up to in some way. Jenna was the 1st woman to take the sex industry and be the boss and take charge instead of being used like to many girls before her. She has also been through a lot in her life and is still going strong. For me she represents a strong independent woman. Dita to me is one aspect of what a woman should be. She's smart, classy and does her own thing. The Mucha aspect just comes from a love of his (and that movement) of art. "To have and to have not" is the title of a Billy Bragg song. I've always loved the song and what it means. In the context of my tattoo it reminds me to keep my feet on the ground. [Miss C talks about her tattoos]

Billy Bragg is opening for the Pogues on March 16th at Roseland Ballroom in NYC. Tickets are still available. No opener has been announced for the sold out March 15th show. Still no St. Pattys show either. All Pogues dates here. All Billy Bragg dates below....

Continue reading "Billy Bragg opening for the Pogues, Tour Dates, tattoos"

Billy Bragg will visit the United States this October, and while he's here he'll play at least five East Coast shows that include one in NJ, one at Webster Hall, and one at The New York Society for Ethical Culture's Concert Hall. The NJ & 'Concert Hall' ones go on sale this Friday. Watch Billy perform 'Bush Warm Blues' on the Henry Rollins show. All dates below...

Continue reading "Billy Bragg - October 2007 Tour Dates"