Billy Bragg talks activism at Glastonbury 2024: “We’re trying to put forward a vision of a better world”

nme.com:

Billy Bragg has spoken to NME about what to expect from the activism, political discussion and live music from the Left Field at Glastonbury 2024 – hoping to “put forward a vision of a better world” ahead of the General Election.The Left Field area is organised and co-founded by the punk-folk icon Bragg and Juliet Wills, and was first designed in the year 2000 to promote left-wing politics and political action; a place for Glasto-goers to “recharge your activism”.This year’s line-up will see performances from the likes of English Teacher, Bob Vylan, Sprints, Billy Nomates, Trampolene, Lottery Winners and Pillow Queens, as well as talks and debates around subjects including trans liberation, the Israel and Palestine conflict, the post office scandal, immigration and the housing crisis.A post shared by Glastonbury Left Field (@glastoleftfield)“There’s a general election coming [on July 4], and that’s why we’re looking at these issues,” Bragg told NME. “Housing, immigration, accountability – we’re looking at trans rights as well.

Lee Anderson said that the Tories don’t have any policies left and they’d fight the election on trans issues and culture wars.“When we sat down to focus on what we needed to talk about this year, it helped us that the election was coming and to sprinkle the panels with Labour MPs who might actually be in government next year; people like Angela Rayner.”Check out our full chat with Bragg below, as he tells about keeping politics alive in new music, keeping debate alive in new music, and why you’ll never see a Tory in the Left Field.NME: Hello Billy.

The last time we spoke was when you covered Taylor Swift for us to honour her Glastonbury headline set that never happened… Billy Bragg: “Yes, it never.