"This is a public service announcement from the rest of the world," Billy Bragg said, opening his brief but extraordinary set at Saturday's NC Rocks for Change event. "Please don't send us another asshole."Bragg played along with a who's who of great local acts, including Portastatic, Superchunk, the dB's, Megafaun, Ivan "Rosebud" Howard, Bowerbirds, Regina Hexaphone, Greg Humphries and I Was Totally Destroying It.
Though the day was filled with great music, it's the thoughts that Bragg shared that have stuck with me the most even days later. While his commentary was spattered with jokes, Bragg also spoke about what this election means not just for the United States but the rest of the world, remarking that there is a "world of possibility" if Obama wins tomorrow — but that's where the hard work begins, also warning that as president, there would likely come a time where Obama let even his biggest supporters down. "That is not the time to give up," Bragg said. "That's the time to get on their asses."
Bragg said that while he (obviously) isn't against artists speaking their minds, he wouldn't want them as leaders. "Would you really want to live in James Blunt's world? Or Kenny Chesney? Even Rufus Wainwright after a week or so. ... My faith in the audience's ability to change the world not only keeps me coming back..I think of moments like this and I think of people's ability to achieve together."
When early voting ended in North Carolina Saturday afternoon, 41% of registered voters had already cast their ballots. If you have not done so yet, please make sure you vote tomorrow and let your voice be heard. Visit voteforchange.com if you're unsure of your polling place.
[photo by Kevin Norris]
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