Latitude: Billy Bragg’s Essex twang (and knobbly knees) draw a big crowd to the Obelisk Arena
Latitude 2014 Billy Bragg - Credit: Nick Butcher
He's been playing music since the 1970s but Billy Bragg can still command a stage in front of thousands.
The activist came to Latitude showcasing his 'Americana' – music he says is for people 'who like The Smiths'.
His 50 minute set drew a large crowd at the Obelisk Arena from festival-goers young and old.
Bragg can never be mistaken for a Jeff Buckley or Thom Yorke in terms of his vocal range but what he does have is charisma.
Jokes aplenty, he kept the laughs coming throughout, whether it was on his 'knobbly knees' or 'Essex twang'.
You may also want to watch:
He's been on Newsnight but he was never too serious with his audience, instead playing his songs which matched the rather chilled atmosphere.
One gag on the 'crisis of masculinity' hit the button; Bragg said to not expect to be as handy with a hammer as our dads - something many have-a-go DIYers need to embrace.
Most Read
- 1 Norwich sees biggest rise in Covid infection rates in the country
- 2 Hotel 'nobody wants to buy' for sale as housing for £365,000
- 3 Aviva to close two large office sites in Norwich
- 4 Nine Norfolk flood alerts ahead of Storm Christoph
- 5 Man who died in west Norfolk crash named
- 6 Man who drove 128 miles for fish and chips among latest Covid fines
- 7 Part of seventh skeleton discovered in city street
- 8 Delivery van towed from deep water on road closed due to flood risk
- 9 Going full term during this coronavirus pandemic fills me with absolute terror
- 10 Carer caught on CCTV letting dog scratch vulnerable pensioner
What's great about music festivals is the juxtaposition of the artists. Following Bragg is the Grammy award-nominated singer Kelis, famous for her Milkshake song. Quite a departure from Bragg with his mid-life musings on the world.
For full Latitude coverage, see our Latitude 2014 page www.eadt.co.uk/what-s-on/latitude
