Billy Bragg live at Mean Fiddler, Harlesden - 1997

This clip is from the Mean Fiddler in Harlesden on the night of the 1997 election. By morning the Tories would be defeated and Labour victorious. It was a time of optimism and the song I perform - Upfield - leans into that hope for a better world.
The Roaring Forty order - bbragg.lnk.to/theroaringforty
The Roaring Forty playlist - bit.ly/407rQNt
#BB40 #TheRoaringForty 31

[@geetee4459]

Btings a tear to my eye. My best mate who died about 10 years ago was a huge compassionate, lefty, caring person. And he was a huge Billy Brgg fan. His wake was exactly 10 years ago today and one of the songs that HAD to be on the playlist was Billy's version of 'The Internationale'. But there about another 6-8 Billy aongs on that playlist too, Sad but glorious memories of my great mate. There is still a HUGE Billy concert poster (the pinkish one from the early 90s in his garage). Memories from Thebarton Theatre (& Kirsty) back in the day. Wish I had a TARDIS and could travel back to those times.

[@chrisperkes5350]

Remember seeing Billy at Manchester Academy around about December '96 and Billy's comment "...if a New Labour government means an old lady can keep one bar of her fire burning through the winter, that's radical enough for me...". Too bad it's as relevant today as it was back then.

[@Phylaetra]

Well said, well spoken. I agree 100%!

[@mascadadelpantion8018]

Just once again another goddamn beautiful performance from this wonderful man

[@tommycoopersmagiccarpetwea817]

The next morning felt great. After nearly 20 years of the old-style f***ing Tories it felt great on a sunny May day to think things were gonna change for the better. Turned out to be just a temporary high, followed by the usual feelings of "fooled again!"

[@sosimple3585]

3:03 The difference between the old style and the new style left...is that... Hang on. Why are we throwing women and gays under the bus now? What went wrong you weirdo?