Billy Bragg/O Positive/Greg Trooper

The Ritz, New York, NY


I was at the concert with my college friend Tim. We were both big Billy Bragg fans, so we really enjoyed the show; particularly so, as this was my first time seeing him live. When he came out by himself and performed "The Milkman of Human Kindness," I was stuck by how much intensity he could deliver, just him and his electric guitar. And when he sang the refrain line -- "I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint!" -- he would kick a leg backwards as he ended it, as if using the motion to put extra force into his singing.

Tim was living in Jersey, so he decided to leave during the encore break. However, as soon as he began making his way towards the door, a member of the stage crew started setting up additional microphones. Since the concert had been entirely Billy solo (with occasional 2nd guitar contributed by Billy's friend Wiggy), I quickly realized that Something Was Up. I scanned the crowd of people leaving the show to see if I could spot, and perhaps stop, Tim -- but to no avail.

Sure enough, after a few more minutes, Billy came back on and introduced Natalie Merchant, Michael Stipe, and Peter Buck, who joined him for two encore songs. Very exciting!

Bragg setlist:
Milkman Of Human Kindness
Like Soldiers Do
Little Time Bomb
St. Swithin's Day
Levi Stubbs' Tears
The Marching Song Of The Covert Battalions
Tank Park Salute
Everywhere
World Turned Upside Down
There Is Power In A Union
The Saturday Boy
North Sea Bubble
Island Of No Return
Help Save The Youth Of America
Greetings To The New Brunette
A New England
Trust
Accident Waiting To Happen
Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards
(encore break)
Dallas (with Natalie Merchant, Michael Stipe, and Peter Buck)
Hello In There (with Natalie Merchant, Michael Stipe, and Peter Buck)

(source)

Despite the clipping, I'm fairly certain A Tribe Called Quest was not part of the show that night.