Billy Bragg: Last News

Billy Bragg has promoted a way to shake up British politics and make the Liberal Democrats the official opposition to the government.Singer-songwriter Bragg posted a thread earlier today (July 3) in which he advised voting tactically in order to make the Lib Dems the UK’s second-largest party. The overwhelming prediction is that the Labour Party will win a large majority in the election – and could win by a landslide – with most pollsters predicting that the incumbent Conservative Party will finish a rather distant second.However, it could turn out that another party, most likely the Lib Dems, ends up with the highest amount of seats after Labour.

Billy Bragg has marked former Labour politician Tony Benn’s would-be 100th birthday by posing his “five questions to ask the powerful” to Elon Musk.Posting on his Facebook page, the folk musician listed five questions to Elon Musk – which were originally coined by politician and left-wing campaigner Benn.“Whenever I see Elon Musk gloating about how he’s laying waste to ‘woke’ government departments, sacking hundreds of thousands of people on a whim, I think of Tony Benn’s five questions to ask the powerful,” he wrote.The questions are: what power have you got; where did you get it from; in whose interest do you exercise it; to whom are you accountable; and how can we get rid of you?Read Bragg’s full post directed to Musk below:Whenever I see Elon Musk gloating about how he's laying waste to 'woke' government departments, sacking hundreds of…Posted by Billy Bragg on Thursday, April 3, 2025Tony Benn was a Labour Party politician who, as per The Guardian, “went from being ‘the most dangerous man in Britain’ to a national radical treasure”. He died aged 88 in 2014.He became known for being an instrumental part in creating a left wing of the Labour Party in the 1980s, and then later was praised for his campaign against the invasion of Iraq, addressing the UK’s biggest ever demonstration during the Stop the War rally of 2003.At the time of his death, the then Labour leader Ed Miliband said: “Tony Benn spoke his mind and spoke up for his values.

Latitude Festival has announced another wave of acts for its 2025 edition – check out the line-up below.The event is due to take place at Henham Park in Suffolk between July 24 and July 27. Sting, Fatboy Slim and Snow Patrol will headline, with Basement Jaxx billed as “very special guests”.Elsewhere on the bill are the likes of Elbow, Maribou State and Sigrid (who were all confirmed last November), as well as more recent additions like Air, Kaiser Chiefs and Reggie Watts.Today (February 27), organisers have revealed yet another batch of names for this summer’s Latitude.

Kate Bush has become the latest to sign a petition speaking out against artificial intelligence (AI) using artists’ work without their permission.The campaign emerged earlier this year and states that “the unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted”.It arose in light of ongoing legal issues between the creative world and tech firms over the use of their work to train AI models such as ChatGPT. Find the full statement here.Back in October, it gathered more momentum as both Radiohead‘s Thom Yorke and ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus signed the petition, alongside 11,500 others.

The Good Place creator Michael Schur for Netflix comedy series A Man On The Inside.Based on the 2020 documentary The Mole Agent, the series follows retired college professor Charles Nieuwendyk who takes a job as an amateur private investigator to solve the mystery of a stolen family heirloom.Alongside Danson in the lead role, the show’s cast includes Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Lilah Richcreek Estrada and Stephanie Beatriz.All eight episodes of A Man On The Inside debuted on November 21, 2024.The show’s score is by David Schwartz, who is best known for his work on Arrested Development.His other credits include TV shows like Northern Exposure, Reaper, Deadwood and Beverly Hills, 90210. He also previously collaborated with Michael Schur on The Good Place.The series features a bunch of needle drops from the likes of Vampire Weekend, The O’Jays and Grateful Dead.

Paul Heaton, Travis, Echo & The Bunnymen and Faithless.Taking place as part of TK Maxx Presents Live At The Piece Hall 2025, four new headliners have been confirmed today (November 25), for performances taking place between July and August 2025.The first of the newly-announced acts to take to the stage is Paul Heaton, who has a slot lined up for July 23. Joining the former Housemartins frontman will be guest singer Rianne Downey who features on his new album, ‘The Mighty Several’, alongside special guests include Billy Bragg.On July 26, Glasgow band Travis will be taking to the stage as headliners, following on from the release of their latest album ‘L.A.

Radiohead‘s Thom Yorke, ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus and other industry figures are among those who have signed a statement against using creatives’ work to train AI.The statement, which you can find here, reads: “The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted.”It follows ongoing legal issues between the creative world and tech firms over the use of their work to train artificial intelligence models such as ChatGPT.Among the 11,500 signatories from across the music, film, theatre and writing world pushing back against the use of intellectual property without permission are Billy Bragg, Kevin Bacon, Robert Smith, Julianne Moore, Kazuo Ishiguro, Ann Patchett, Rosario Dawson and more.Today we’re publishing a statement on AI training, signed by 10,000+ creators already:“The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted.”Signatories include… pic.twitter.com/AqVaEThMs4— Ed Newton-Rex (@ednewtonrex) October 22, 2024Following the release of the statement, Gee Davy, the interim CEO for the Association of Independent Music has said: “On behalf of the UK’s independent music community – businesses who are proud to work in partnership with artists – we support this statement from Fairly Trained.“To achieve the benefits of AI for creativity, we urge policymakers not to lose sight of the need for strong copyright protections.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Libby Titus, a singer who recorded two albums in the late 1960s and ’70s before retiring from the music scene, later becoming the wife of Steely Dan‘s Donald Fagen, died Sunday at age 77. No cause of death was given. Fagen announced her death on Steely Dan’s website.

Benefits have announced they’re embarking on a UK and European tour this autumn.Taking to Instagram, the Teesside punks wrote: “NEWS! We’re touring in October! It’s our first time out since we released our debut album early last year! It’s been AGES! In with the new, on sale FRIDAY 10AM.“We’re really excited to be going to a fair few places we’ve never been before, bringing the electronic radge to Huddersfield, Lancaster, Aberdeen, Stirling, Preston, Utrecht, Ostend, Margate and Newport for the first time.“As well as returning to towns and cities we love like Glasgow, Edinburgh, Boro, Liverpool, Rotterdam, Southampton, Brighton and London. It’s going to be epic, please get involved, share the joy, share the anger, bring strobes and earplugs.”Tickets are available on their website at 10am BST this Friday (July 12).A post shared by BENEFITS THE BAND (@benefitsuk)OCTOBER05 – HUDDERSFIELD, The Parrish06 – LANCASTER, Kanteena07 – GLASGOW, Huge and Pint08 – EDINBURGH, Wee Red Bar09 – ABERDEEN, Tunnels10 – STIRLING, Tolbooth11 – MIDDLESBROUGH, Play Brew12 – LIVERPOOL, Shipping Forecast13 – PRESTON, The Ferret17 – ROTTERDAM, Left of the Dial 18 – UTRECHT, ACU 19 – ROTTERDAM, Left of the dial 20 – OSTEND, Cafe de Zwerver 22 – SOUTHAMPTON, Joiners23 – BRIGHTON, Hope and Ruin24 – MARGATE, Where Else25 – LONDON, The George Tavern26 – NEWPORT, Le PubLast year, NME caught up with Benefits before they performed at Glastonbury’s Left Field stage on the invitation of Billy Bragg, with frontman Kingsley Hall touching on the progress of their second album.“We want to get stuff out as soon as possible,” he said.

Billy Bragg, who had shared a screenshot of a BBC article reporting Tennant’s recent comments about Kemi Badenoch, the British Minister for Women and Equalities.In May, Badenoch proposed the mandatory implementation of single-sex toilets in public spaces across Britain, claiming it contributes to “ending the rise of so-called gender-neutral mixed sex toilet spaces”, as reported by BBC. The proposal has since been heavily criticised by transgender rights groups, who argue that gender-neutral toilet spaces help protect trans people from discrimination.The night before (June 25), Tennant was present at the British LGBT Awards to accept the LGBT+ Celebrity Ally award.

Billy Bragg has spoken to NME about what to expect from the activism, political discussion and live music from the Left Field at Glastonbury 2024 – hoping to “put forward a vision of a better world” ahead of the General Election.The Left Field area is organised and co-founded by the punk-folk icon Bragg and Juliet Wills, and was first designed in the year 2000 to promote left-wing politics and political action; a place for Glasto-goers to “recharge your activism”.This year’s line-up will see performances from the likes of English Teacher, Bob Vylan, Sprints, Billy Nomates, Trampolene, Lottery Winners and Pillow Queens, as well as talks and debates around subjects including trans liberation, the Israel and Palestine conflict, the post office scandal, immigration and the housing crisis.A post shared by Glastonbury Left Field (@glastoleftfield)“There’s a general election coming [on July 4], and that’s why we’re looking at these issues,” Bragg told NME. “Housing, immigration, accountability – we’re looking at trans rights as well.

Justin Townes Earle compilation has been announced, with a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams’ released as its first single.The Americana singer-songwriter and son of Steve Earle died in 2020 aged 38 due to an accidental fentanyl overdose. The autopsy report confirmed that Earle, who died in August, was found with traces of fentanyl in his system, in addition to cocaine and alcohol.Now, New West Records have announced a forthcoming posthumous compilation called ‘All In: Unreleased & Rarities (The New West Years)’.

Glastonbury festival was founded. Organisers have now confirmed that after 60 years, it will be coming to a permanent end due to external pressures and financial strain.The final installment will take place this summer, and will be held at Buckinghamshire’s Claydon Estate between August 23 and 26.Artists lined-up for 2024 include Billy Bragg, The Staves, Tide Lines, Seth Lakeman and Pokey Lafarge.News that the festival would be closing after this year’s edition was shared by two of Manners’ grandchildren – Mary Hodson and Joe Heap – who now run the event as co-directors.“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we also deliver this message.

Glastonbury has announced the acts that will be performing at its Left Field stage later this year, with English Teacher, Bob Vylan and more joining the line-up.The official 2024 line-up for Glastonbury was dropped in March, and revealed that Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA would be headlining the iconic Pyramid Stage this summer, while Shania Twain is set to take on the coveted legends slot.From there, the organisers of the Worthy Farm festival have been counting down the weeks to this year’s instalment by gradually announcing the artists playing at other stages around the site. This kicked off with news of new artists set to headline the Acoustic Stage, followed by details on those who have joined the Field Of Avalon line-up, Shangri-La area, Fields of Avalon, Silver Hayes, The Glade and Woodsies area.Now, with just over a month to go before the 2024 edition kicks off, the complete line-up for the Left Field area has been announced.The area is organised and co-founded by Billy Bragg and Juliet Wills, and was first designed in the year 2000 to promote left-wing politics and political action in those attending the festival.

Sinead O’Connor’s daughter performed an emotional cover of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ during a tribute show in the US last night (March 20) – watch the footage below.The special concert, which was announced in January, took place at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Dubbed ‘Sinéad & Shane At Carnegie Hall’, the event was held in memory of O’Connor and the late Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan – both of whom died last year.As the Independent reports, “the closing suite of songs” included a moving rendition of O’Connor’s classic 1990 single ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ by her 28-year-old daughter Roisin Waters.She appeared barefoot on stage and was backed by a live band.

Chumbawamba have opened up about their “divisive” feud with former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.In a new interview with NME, frontman Dunstan Bruce was asked to reminisce on Chumbawamba’s controversial dispute with Prescott. At the 1998 BRIT Awards, Chumbawamba member Danbert Nobacon doused the MP with an ice bucket in solidarity with striking dockers in Liverpool.Bruce told NME that the stunt was considered “divisive” at the time.

Sam Smith and Billy Bragg.“To all trans/non binary and gender non conforming people in the UK right now,” the former wrote on their Instagram Stories. “You are not alone.

Jamie Webster has released his new single ‘Fickle Fran’, a collaboration with his hero and fellow political troubadour Billy Bragg. Check it out below along with our interview with Webster.The single is the second to preview Webster’s third album ’10 For The People’, to be released on February 2 ahead of a massive homecoming show at Liverpool’s 40,000-capacity Sefton Park on July 12.‘Fickle Fran’ comes after Webster joined environmental TV presenter Chris Packham last weekend (September 9) in inducting Bragg into The Music Walk Of Fame in Camden.“If I’m going to model myself on anyone in the industry, Billy is perfect,” Webster told NME. “He’s had a 40-year career from speaking his mind, doing it for the people.

Billy Bragg has been added to Camden’s Music Walk Of Fame on the city’s High Street.Over the weekend (September 9), the veteran singer-songwriter was officially added to the walk during a ceremony overseen by activist Chris Packham and Liverpool singer-songwriter Jamie Webster. The former gave a speech paying tribute to Bragg during the ceremony, praising him as “a spokesperson – not just for one, but several generations”.“He spoke to us about us – with clarity and wit and kindness,” he said. “He also instructed us, pricked our consciences or kicked our arses with demands.

UB40 and Janis Joplin have been inducted into the UK Music Walk Of Fame in London’s Camden area.Launched in 2019, the Music Walk Of Fame covers a square mile in Camden and features Award Stones embedded in the pavements, celebrating artists and other important pioneering figures in music. Previous inductees include The Who, Madness, Soul II Soul, Amy Winehouse, David Bowie and more.Speaking of the induction in a press release, Ali Campbell of UB40 shared that it felt like a full-circle moment as the band had played their first ever show in Camden and now they were accepting an accolade in the same place.He said: “To be back in Camden is lovely… I’m very proud of this award. I’m also proud of the part I played in promoting the music I love..

Billy Bragg has released a new song, inspired by Oliver Anthony’s viral single ‘Rich Men North Of Richmond’. Check out ‘Rich Men Earning North Of A Million’ below.The track by Bragg comes in response to the recent viral hit by US country singer and former factory worker and farmer Oliver Anthony.