Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping

Shopocalypto

I went to see/hear Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping at a local church tonight. It was quite entertaining and rousing. Reverend Billy is an ersatz southern-style preacher (complete with white suit and dyed-blond pompadour) backed by a large gospel choir and a rock band. Instead of fundamentalism or faith healing, though, he travels the country preaching "anti-shopping" and promotes "Buy Nothing Day" (aka Black Friday) -- quite a radical message this time of year. I'm not sure I agree that shoppng is always evil -- I believe it predates capitalism and has always been with us in some form -- but the music was fantastic, as was the satire.

dogseat has some photos of this event.