Manic Street Preachers keep early fire burning
Concert review: They may not be young punks any more but the Manic Street Preachers still have as much fire and passion as when they first took the music scene by storm 18 years ago.
Manic Street Preachers, 02 Academy, Birmingham, by Adam Burling
Photos by Steve Gerrard of Junction 10
They may not be young punks any more but the Manic Street Preachers still have as much fire and passion as when they first took the music scene by storm 18 years ago.
The Welsh trio are now part of the establishment after becoming Britain's biggest band in the mid-90s following guitarist Richey Edwards's disappearance.
But any fears they are sliding gracefully into middle age were dispelled within seconds of opener You Love Us.
The anthem from their debut album Generation Terrorists set the tone for an ear-blasting gig, rescheduled from October after singer James Dean Bradfield fell ill.
The biggest surprise of the night was an acoustic rendition of festive favourite Last Christmas by Wham. Motorcycle Emptiness,
Everything Must Go, This is Yesterday and If You Tolerate This became mass singalongs.
Nothing could match the pandemonium caused by ferocious performances of debut single Motown Junk and Faster from 1994 LP The Holy Bible.
They saved the best for last, with modern classic Design for Life ending the gig on a high.
