Tonight's sell-out show was a justified success for veteran romantic and left-wing activist BILLY BRAGG, whose sudden return to the fore brought him back to a familiar Manchester venue, where he proceeded to treat the devoted sell-out audience to a performance pulled right out of the top drawer.
There is still as just as much edge and determination about Bragg's well-documented views, but what with society being in its current sorry state, amidst rallying calls and reminders for us to take individual responsibility for the never-ending war against facism, most, if not all of the vitriol came in between the songs that either illustrated the point or were left free to endear as a constant reminder of Bragg's passion and enthusiasm for his beloved folk and country music.
This linked the new with the classic material in tonight's show seamlessly, with the great Woody Guthrie heavily involved in the early celebrations. A beautifully reworked rendition of the Guthrie classic 'I Ain't Got no Home In This World Anymore', takes takes pride of place on Billy's brand-new long player; here it followed hot on the heels of the WILCO/Guthrie anthem 'Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key' to keep the great man's memory alive in style.
Bragg's thirteenth studio album, though recorded in a mere five days, was showcased brilliantly on stage, thanks to a stellar display by a group who fired on all cylinders to keep the pace of all of tonight's music firmly planted in the same timelessly reflective state.
This took nothing away from Bragg's power as a protest singer. 'Over You' and 'There Will Be A Reckoning' both sent out extra-ominous messages to the far right because of the slower and more focused country dynamic onstage, as home-grown hot-shot lead guitarist Owen Parker shone upon his return to the city alongside superb displays from equally youthful drummer CJ Hillman, whilst Matt Round's keyboards beautifully illuminated the night's magic moment: a breathtaking version of 'Valentine's Day Is Over'.
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I was delighted to find myself dancing alongside Billy's legendary head of security BREN, who it was a real pleasure to meet (this made my night this did!), whilst onstage, there was plenty for Bragg to talk about after five years away; from "Sunderland's decision to appoint a fascist manager" to the inevitable recent death of Margaret Thatcher (the cue for lots of cheering and clapping). There was also time to address those amongst the press who have treated the classic country flavour of 'Tooth & Nail' as a recent revelation, a notion he then simply swept away with 1992 hit single 'You Woke Up My Neighbourhood', a surreally self-proclaimed line-dance standard!
More big-hitting blasts from the same album followed to end the evening on a high, as singalong chorus anthem Sexuality brought matters to a fun-filled conclusion ("Why not?"), before an encore that counterbalanced the twelve bar humour of latest release 'HandyMan Blues' with the haunting and melancholy greatness of 'Tank Park Salute'. Still relevant, still a creative force, Billy Bragg looks destined to make yet another big impact; bang on form, he's timed his return to perfection.
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