Billy Bragg

Billy Bragg brings his plain-spoken protest songs and bruised love stories to The Spire, 82 Sydenham Street, Kingston, Canada, on July 5, 2026. Since the early 80s, the Barking-born songwriter has carved a singular path: electric guitar turned up, voice up front, lyrics that go straight to the point. From Life’s a Riot with Spy vs Spy and Brewing Up to Talking with the Taxman about Poetry, Workers Playtime and Don’t Try This at Home, his catalogue balance shifts between raw folk-punk and more melodic rock, always grounded in social observation and everyday romance. His work with Wilco on the Mermaid Avenue sessions opened a channel to American folk traditions that still threads through his sets, alongside songs from England, Half English and The Million Things That Never Happened. On stage, Bragg moves between pointed commentary and close-up storytelling, singalongs and stripped-down confession, revisiting early favourites next to newer material. A special guest will join the bill, to be announced closer to the date.