Billy Bragg is releasing his first album in 5 years “Tooth & Nail” on March 18 and has announced a UK tour including a date at Exeter’s Great Hall on Thursday 05 December 2013.

Drawing on personal rather than political themes, Tooth & Nail was recorded over a whirlwind five-day session with Grammy Award winning producer Joe Henry (whose impeccable production credits include Solomon Burke, Aimee Mann, Elvis Costello and Hugh Laurie) in his South Pasadena basement studio.

With Joe taking Billy out of his comfort zone (all vocals were recorded live without retakes or overdubs) the album features an accomplished crew of musicians, including Greg Leisz (Bon Iver), Patrick Warren (Lana Del Rey), Jay Bellerose (Regina Spektor) and David Piltch (Ramblin’ Jack Eliot).

The spontaneous results are, according to Billy, a return to the rootsy sound of 1998’s Mermaid Avenue sessions he recorded with Wilco - drawing on soul, country and folk music influences to explore the ups and downs of relationships that have stood the test of time.

In his own words: “In 2011, I took a long, hard look at who I am and what I do. This album is the result.”

Permanently active beyond music and consistently playing to audiences around the world, this period also saw Billy establish the Jail Guitar Doors initiative and lend support to numerous causes including the anti-fascist campaign Hope Not Hate and the Occupy Movement. In 2010, he began to curate the Left Field at Glastonbury Festival, with the aim of highlighting new political artists.

He recently delivered the 2012 John Peel Lecture and won the ‘Roots Award’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2013.

Tickets: £20

www.billybragg.co.uk

Tickets available from www.exeterboxoffice.com or Exeter Phoenix (online or by phone on 01392 667080