Billy Bragg

“For longtime Festival-goers, Billy Bragg is a folk icon and a working class hero. Perhaps more than any other living artist, he epitomizes the spirit of what the festival has always strived to achieve.  Since his first appearance at Jericho in 1987, when he ripped up the main stage with songs about the power of unions and the solidarity possible when common people work together, Bragg has balanced his anthems that cry for social justice with love songs of raw and aching tenderness. 

Long before he collaborated with Wilco on Mermaid Avenue  Bragg first brought his unique perspective of Woody Guthrie’s music to a Folk Festival workshop stage.  On his second appearance at the festival in 1989, he crafted new verses for ‘The Internationale’ with Pete Seeger, solidifying his role as a torch carrier for a new generation of political folk artists. A return appearance with Joe Henry a few years ago proved that the years have done nothing to diminish the fire in Bragg’s live performances, or his respect for the musical lineage that he’s become an integral part of.

Billy Bragg remains an uncompromising musical force. If you’ve seen him more times than you can count, you won’t need any encouragement to get to his performances early and to pull up a blanket in the front of the stage.  If you’ve never had the chance to hear Bragg before, don’t even think of missing out on what will surely be a life-changing experience.  -DH

SATURDAY 7:35 – 9:05pm Main Stage
SUNDAY 10:30 – 11:50am Rise Up and Sing South Stage