Billy Bragg • singer songwriter and activist

“The frustration of seeing nothing that spoke to me on Top Of The Pops in the early 80’s made me realise if I wanted to hear music that had something to say about the state of the world and real life, I’d have to make it myself. 18 months later I recorded my first LP. To mark the 40th anniversary of Life’s A Riot with Spy vs Spy, I’ve compiled a number of commemorative releases that trace the arc of my career since those fateful Thursday nights.” Billy Bragg 2023

‘The music of Britain’s foremost protest singer gets an evocative overview in this nuanced compilation’

Album Of The Week

The Guardian

‘…a musically mature, international artist who is still bursting with energy.’

Rolling Stone

‘A British institution.’

Clash

‘One of the great human beings of Planet Earth…while the world changes by the minute, Billy’s empathy remains steadfast.’

Brooklyn Vegan

Billy Bragg

Tue Apr 9th, 2024

This coming Saturday I'm taking part in an online concert celebrating the work of the great activist and singer-songwriter Si Kahn, who turns 80 this month. Hosted by his long-term collaborator John McCutcheon and featuring Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Joe Jencks, Kathy Mattea and a host of other artists, we will be singing his tunes and talking about his work writing songs of solidarity for working people. Tickets are available here: https://appalseed-productions-2.square.site/product/si-kahn-80th-birthday-celebration/… ... See MoreSee Less

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Billy Bragg

Tue Apr 9th, 2024

I've contributed a track to the second volume of 'Songs Not Bombs' an initiative to raise funds for the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund. Rachel Corrie was an American activist who went to Rafah during the Second Intifada. Seeking to defend Palestinian families whose houses were being demolished by the Israeli military, she was crushed to death by an armoured bulldozer in 2003. In 2006, a play based on her journals and letters was staged in London and, following a successful run, was booked to open in New York. Shamefully, the theatre pulled out of staging the play, an event which inspired me to write 'The Lonesome Death of Rachel Corrie'.24 track album ... See MoreSee Less

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Billy Bragg

Sat Apr 6th, 2024

The introduction of the Hate Crime and Public Order Act in Scotland stirred up a storm of protest this week from people concerned about limitations on their freedom of expression. JK Rowling generated headlines by declaring on social media that, no matter what the law says, she will continue to misgender trans women. The Scottish First Minister responded by making it clear that, while Rowling’s tweets may well be offensive, upsetting and insulting to trans people, it doesn't mean that they meet a threshold of criminality enshrined in the law, that of being threatening or abusive and intending to stir up hatred.It’s unfortunate that the media has allowed protesters to portray the Scottish legislation as an attempt to curb free speech when its actual aim is to prevent abusive behaviour. It is already a criminal offence under UK law to send a letter or any other form of communication that is indecent or grossly offensive, threatening, or contains information which is false or believed to be false. Just this week a man was convicted under the Malicious Communications Act after accusing a Labour politician of being a paedophile because of his support for trans women. There are also laws against harassment, sexting and stalking.However, the failure of social media companies to properly mediate communications on their platforms has led to a situation in which the abusive behaviour detailed above is tolerated online, sometimes even glorified by those who claim to be ‘free speech absolutists’. Evidence has shown that women are much more likely to be the targets, being subject to rape and death threats for no other reason that they expressed an opinion. JK Rowling herself is a regular victim of such abuse, which is never acceptable, no matter who it is directed against.If social media companies refuse to accept responsibility for this problem and deal with it, then it falls to governments to introduce legislation to protect citizens for such treatment. In doing so, they have to define the line between offence and abuse, not a simple task as offence can be subjective. The Scottish government have sought to address this problem, creating new sanctions for harmful language, while at the same time abolishing the law on blasphemy - something I imagine free speech absolutists would applaud.Despite that fact, there will doubtless be a huge stramash in the coming months as various parties over-react to the legislation, but I hope that when the dust settles we might begin to have a better sense of where the line between offence and abuse lies, so that those who are victims of abuse can be protected. It will require a balance to be found between the liberty of the individual and their responsibility to society. No doubt those who cherish the former and refuse to recognise the latter will pen acres of angry articles in the likes of the Telegraph, Spectator and Unherd. But in the long run, a better understanding of the point at which language becomes genuinely harmful will help everyone to exercise their right to express dissenting opinions.Because at the moment, the failure to clearly define that point is costing some people their livelihoods. JK Rowling may be happy transforming herself into the Mary Whitehouse de nos jours, but her performative offensiveness has the knock-on effect of giving the green light to those who share her virulent anti-trans views, but not her considerable means and social status. As I noted last week, a teacher in Bristol lost his job and was barred from participating in regulated activities with children because he continued to misgender a trans student - the same rule that Rowling declared she will flout. Perhaps, in the difference between the consequences faced by the teacher and the lack of those faced by Rowling, we might begin to discern where offence slides into abuse: Rowling’s comments, while offensive, were general, aimed at a community; the teacher’s however were personal, aimed at an individual. It’s a line I try hard not to cross when engaging in online disputes. I make no apology if my opinions offend and I may sometimes get a bit snarky when defending them, but personal abuse is unacceptable in my book. I believe the internet would be a much more welcoming space if those who indulge in such behaviour faced greater pushback, both from users and mediators on the platforms.The Scottish Hate Crime Act seeks to instigate that process, by putting down markers for harmful language, examples that can act as a reference for our own social discourse. It deserves the support of everyone who wishes to see an end to abusive behaviour online. ... See MoreSee Less

Yousaf 'not surprised' JK Rowling posts are not criminal

www.bbc.co.uk

The Harry Potter author challenged Scotland's new hate crime law by describing s...

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