BILLY HAS PLENTY TO BRAGG ABOUT

28-04-2008

Billy Bragg turned in a storming performance at Birmingham Town Hall this weekend, and made an eloquent case for "progressive patriotism" in a pre-show Q&A hosted by Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg - who offers a first hand account of a memorable night.

Bragg was there as part of the English Originals weekend – a musical celebration of St George’s Day that showed off some of the best voices in folk (including Seth Lakeman, Norma Waterson, and Martin Carthy).

His show, on Friday, got the event off to a terrific start, as he mixed up a string of classics (Sexuality, St Swithin’s Day, A New England) with new standards like I Keep Faith from his new album Mr Love and Justice.

Anyone who’s written off Bragg as a relic of post punk protest will be disappointed to find that he’s as topical and relevant as ever – and arguably in the finest singing form of his career. All in all, a rousing show.

The pre-gig question and answer session was, in it’s way, just as entertaining, as Bragg outlined the key themes of his book The Progressive Patriot.

His concern is that unless the left engages with patriotism and events like St George’s Day, the far-right will come to “own” the flag and be seen as the legitimate voice of English nationalism.

He contrasted the SNP in Scotland – progressive, inclusive, avowedly multicultural – with the BNP, and said it was important to create a space in which a positive identity could be discussed and created south of the border.

The gap between rich and poor was, he admitted, an issue closer to his heart, but he felt he wouldn’t be true to himself if he didn’t raise this issue of patriotism now – even if it made some his natural supporters feel uncomfortable.

Bragg talked about creating a nationalism based around “space not race” ie encompassing everyone who lives here.

That means acceptance and understanding on all sides.

A Muslim woman in a niqab, for example, must understand that her right to wear what she wants depends on a tolerance which must also permit Salman Rushdie to write the Satanic Verses.

It was a thought provoking half an hour, and went a long way towards restoring the Town Hall’s traditional role as a focus for politics and debate.

(For the record, Billy rounded his night off in Kushi balti house on Moseley Road, Balsall Heath – the roadies’ choice apparently).

To see Billy performing New England at the Town Hall, click here

How can we create a progressive patriotism? Leave a comment on The Stirrer Forum.