BILLY BRAGG @ EXETER LEMON GROVE 24/11/08

Even before tonight's gig starts there are plenty of things to be pleased about.
Whilst it was supposed to take place in Exeter's soulless 3000 capacity Great Hall, with Bragg backed by a six-piece band, tonight we find ourselves crammed into the tiny Lemon Grove. Just three hundred fans, and on stage one man, one instrument, one amp; Billy Bragg and his guitar.

Whilst he might have forgotten how 'disconcerting' it can be having a crowd so close you can feel them breathing, it's clear this is the way it's supposed to be. As the title of Bragg's latest album 'Mr. Love and Justice' demonstrates, this is a man as concerned with romance as he is social change, his approach to both intensely personal. All his classic love songs are brought out, 'Greetings To The New Brunette', 'The Milkman of Human Kindness' and 'Brickbat' sounding just as earnest and powerful as when they were penned twenty years ago.

Then starts the politics. Despite the occasional outdated reference to Margaret Thatcher and the miner's strike, this is no Bono/Sting/Chris Martin style mindless sermonizing. Instead, his political chatter is combined with endless self-deprecation and witty banter. Anyone who's read Bragg's 'The Progressive Patriot' or even checked his credentials on Wikipedia will know he is a rare creature; a musician who cares about politics, yet chooses to be pro-active rather than preachy. He's been a lifelong anti-fascism campaigner, written a book redefining patriotism and set up a charity with Mick Jones, Jail Guitar Doors, which brings musical instruments to prisons. So naturally, 'Accident Waiting To Happen' is introduced with a toast to the BNP, who recently had their membership details leaked (once member/Billy's neighbour having sent him numerous anonymous threats), Woody Guthrie cover 'No Home' and Bragg's own 'No Power Without Accountability' are turned into tirades against the irresponsibility of greedy bankers, whilst 'Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards' is given a twenty-first century twist with lyrics geared towards Guantanamo bay and Tory hypocrisy. Surely the best track tonight is the surprisingly brilliant cover of Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come', completely transformed but still a beacon of hope, sung to celebrate Obama's election victory. Amazingly, throughout all of this the sentiment is more of a topical chat at the pub than the bloated lecture you might expect it to be.

Two years ago Jamie T covered Bragg's legendary track 'A New England' for his encore at this very venue. As Billy clambers onstage to do the same, one thing becomes clear. Where it's Woody Guthrie, Sam Cooke, Billy Bragg or Jamie T you most adore, the songwriters who are truly inspirational are the ones who don't just make you believe in them, but in yourself too. We might all be a long way from changing the world, but tonight, 300 of us felt one step closer.

By Sophie Thomsett

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