SXSW Day 2.5

I had the pleasure, make that honor, of seeing Billy Bragg perform twice yesterday. He may be a national treasure in the UK, but he's deeply loved in Texas too. He got a standing-o when he played the convention center daystage, and the crowd was packed to the rafters, literally, at the Cedar Street Courtyard or Billy's official SXSW set last night.

Billy played plenty of songs from the new album "Mr. Love & Justice" (Anti-, April 22) plus one brand new one which, he explained, doesn't have a title, but is inspired by a character he calls Johnny Clash. The song's a brilliant tirade against the status quo, and one line in particular "George Bush will soon be gone!" generated a wave of cheers both times he performed it.

Thanks to the kick-ass zoom on my camera (which I'm actually borrowing from my daughter - thanks Emma!) I was able to snap Billy's set list from above the stage.

And here's a shot of, L-R, me, Shore Fire's Brendan Gilmartin, Billy, and SF's Carrie Tolles after the show. By the time we said our goodbyes, it was 2:30am. Brendan, Carrie and I hopped in a pedicab, breathed in the beautiful Austin night, and talked about how cool Billy Bragg is.