Burning Shed has announced that “Billy Bragg – A People’s History” will be published on 9th October 2025 and is now available to pre-order. “Billy Bragg – A People’s History” is an oral history of the British singer-songwriter and political activist in the words of people who have been moved by his music. It contains fan memories of seeing Bragg in concert, on a demonstration or on TV. The book spans Bragg’s career in music, from his days with the punk-inspired Riff Raff through to the present day, and includes anecdotes from fans, friends and collaborators as well as his own reflections on his career.
This 592-page large format paperback comes with over 50 contributions from Bragg himself together with memories from over 700 fans, friends and collaborators including Juliet Wills (Bragg’s partner and manager), Chris Packham, Wiggy, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Cara Tivey, Dave Woodhead, Grant Showbiz, Neil Spencer, Martin Goldschmidt (Cooking Vinyl), Sid Griffin (Long Ryders), Nora Guthrie and Jamie Webster along with an introduction by Phill ‘Porky the Poet’ Jupitus. Bragg has also shared many images from his personal archive for the book.
The first 1,000 copies of the book come as a numbered, limited-edition, pre-signed by Bragg and can be ordered via this link.
Burning Shed has stated that the numbered limited-edition copy of the book can only be ordered via Burning Shed and is offered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis; and that purchasers ordering via Burning Shed by 7th July 2025 will have their names automatically printed in the book as sponsors. There are detailed instructions for multiple orders and other dedications
Bragg has agreed to take part in three separate UK events to launch the book. These will be Q&As followed by a book signing (no performance – he won’t be bringing his guitar along) at the following locations:
Rough Trade East, London on Saturday 25th October (link)
Yeovil Literary Festival on Monday 27th October (link)
Louder Than Words Festival in Manchester on Sunday 16th November (link)
In the absence of a performance, here’s Bragg with ‘Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards’ from 2013.
