Billy Bragg

Carrying on the St George's Day theme, I spoke this week to Dash Arts for their Albion podcast thread about Englishness - its communities, complexities and contradictions.

Albion: BILLY BRAGG — DASH ARTS What does Englishness sound like? In this episode of OffScript , Dash Arts' Artistic Director Josephine Burton is joined by musician, songwriter, and activist Billy Bragg for an electric conversation about England - its flags, its contradictions, and its capacity for protest.

Happy St George's Day folks! For those of you out there unfamiliar with the traditions of the British Isles, today is the day we celebrate our English identity via the symbol of a Levantine soldier in the Roman Army who was martyred in the 3rd century. It's also Shakespeare's birthday for those of a more agnostic bent.

Regular lurkers on this page will recall that several weeks ago I invited people to contribute to the compilation of a list of objects that they feel define the experience of being English. The aim is to create some common ground where people of diverse and differing views can create an inclusive sense of belonging based on place not race. A feeling of unity based on where we are rather than where a our parents or grandparents were from.

This is not about being Panglossian about ‘England’ - our country has many dark chapters. Yet it also possesses things that define us individually and collectively. If we hope to create a narrative that fuels values of inclusivity, fairness, and respect for democracy and the rule of law, then sharing our sense of what it means to be English is the first step.

This is not an attempt to define Englishness, far from it. It's about individuals bringing their idea of who we are to the table so that we can overcome what could be a potentially divisive and hate-filled debate around English identity with a simple question: ‘What 5 objects tell your story of England and Englishness?’

It could be something culturally and historically profound, like the Magna Carta or Shakespeare. Or the every day, seemingly mundane, such as seaside windbreaks or talking about the weather. All weave part of a rich tapestry that makes up.

In the discussion groups that the campaign has conducted, we discovered that no one had ever had a conversation around their national identity and what it means to them. We hope this initiative will provide a helpful way to start respectful conversations with yourself and others.

Our appeal for ideas to include in the 50 objects has so far generated over 3,000 contributions, from which we have produced an initial list which has been made available to buy in the form of a ‘Pocket Museum’ (a deck of cards), a ‘Museum on a Wall’ (a weatherproof A2 poster) or T-shirt.

Our hope is that these will provide a helpful way to start respectful conversations with yourself and others.

You can support our campaign for an England that celebrates an authentic, inclusive, shared story by adding your own five objects to the list or purchasing the poster, cards of t-shirt by going to http://www.averyenglishchat.org.uk/

Glastonbury taking a year off means no Left Field this summer, but you still have the opportunity to recharge your activism at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival. It's a celebration of worker's power with music, talks, workshops, a colourful parade of union banners and a whole weekend of radical solidarity. Get down to Dorset and get organised!

Tickets and details here: www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk

Sorry to hear of the passing of my old sparring partner Andy Kershaw. He was my roadie/tour manager in the early days of Braggmania and he drove me the length and breadth of Britain and north-east Europe in Pete Jenner's Volvo estate while introducing me to the Louvin Brothers and Mercedes Sosa.

Then one day we did The Old Grey Whistle Test and they purloined him as a presenter. My loss was the BBC's gain. He soon had his own radio show and was a co-presenter of LIve Aid. His passion for non-western music turned many listeners on to world music and his genuine enthusiasm for the records he was playing made him a brilliant broadcaster. RIP.

BBC radio DJ Andy Kershaw dies aged 66 DJ spent almost three decades working for corporation and was best known for Radio 1 show from 1985 to 2000

Important update: Billy Bragg to replace Peggy Seeger in Songs for the Workers line-up

We have recently been informed that Peggy Seeger has sadly been advised to cancel all upcoming gigs and engagements due to a period of ill health. Ticket holders have been informed that she will be unable to perform at the Songs for the Workers event on Thursday 7 May.

We are, however, delighted to announce that Billy Bragg will perform in Peggy's place.

Songs for the Workers is a night of music to mark International Workers' Day, also featuring Jackie Oates, Nick Hart, Jennifer Reid and Francy Devine. You can still grab tickets to join us for this night with iconic folk musicians paying tribute to workers with industrial and agricultural folk music, work songs and ballads and more.

Thu 7 May
Tickets: bit.ly/41SuUjr

Great to be back at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival again - look forward to hanging out with friends old and new on July 18th

bb

🎟️ www.billybragg.co.uk/giglistings

In memory of Phil Ochs - singer-songwriter, anti-war activist, father, true patriot - who took his life fifty years ago today

No More Songs Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupNo More Songs · Phil OchsGreatest Hits℗ 1970 A&M RecordsReleased on: 1970-01-01Producer: Van D**e ParksComposer L...

I bumped into my old pal Steve Drewett at the Together Alliance march last Saturday and he mentioned that the documentary which was made about his band, the Newtown Neurotics, is now up on YouTube for everyone to see. A real treat if you're stuck indoors on this wet and windy Bank Holiday.

Kick Out!: The Newtown Neurotics Story (FULL MUSIC DOCUMENTARY) Kick Out! is a documentary on UK punk band The Newtown Neurotics, and the socio-political times that defined them.Filming began in late 2017 and the release ...

Look forward to seeing you at Winnipeg Folk Festival in July

🔗 www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca

Guess I’ll be starting my Canadian/US tour a day earlier! Due to unprecedented demand, I’ve added a second show in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 17 June.

bb

🎟️ www.billybragg.co.uk/giglistings