Billy Bragg's Changing Times

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BBC Radio 4 Extra

Billy Bragg's Changing Times: 1. So Much To Protest About

1. So Much To Protest About

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Billy Bragg's Changing Times, 1. So Much To Protest About

Stories of moments when musicians were inspired to preach, to protest and to perform.

Billy Bragg explores stories of when musicians were inspired to protest, perform and preach in an alternative way. From 2019.

These are fractious times. 

But there have been fractious times before. 

And of all the ways of looking at history, the instinctive reactions of artists, specifically musicians, to changing times, is one of the most fascinating. 

From Hamish Henderson to Tom Robinson, the Sex Pistols to U2, and more recently Radiohead and Stormzy, protest music has come a long way. 

In the first of three programmes, Billy Bragg takes time to savour and share the stories of great moments where musicians were inspired by unfolding events to protest, to perform and to preach of an alternative way. 

Along the way there are contributions from authors, artists and academics who have seen technology transform the way in which people create and listen to protest songs. 

And there will be a chance to hear from those producing protest music in the era of Brexit, Trump and fake news.

Featured programmes:

‘Songlines: Freedom Come All Ye’ [07/07/2009 BBC Radio Scotland]

‘Which Side Are You On?: The Golden Age of Protest Songs’ [28/09/2016 BBC Radio 2]

‘Is Protest Music Dead?’ [26/01/2016 BBC Radio 1 & 1 Extra]

Producer: Dan Quick

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in July 2019.

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Factual: Politics

Music

Billy Bragg on musicians inspired to protest, perform or preach of alternative ways.

Billy Bragg shares great moments of musicians inspired to protest, perform or preach of alternative ways.

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