Manic Street Preachers are fresh off releasing their fifteenth studio album; Critical Thinking. To promote their latest opus, the band land in Manchester.

Words/Pictures: Dominic Walsh

HONEYGLAZE

London trio, Honeyglaze, are on an upward trajectory. Since forming just prior to lockdown, the band have released two albums and performed at prestigious events such as SXSW, Victorious Festival and The Great Escape as well as a raft of high profile support slots with bands such as Wet Leg, and now, Manic Street Preachers.

For the most part, Honeyglaze play a downbeat brand of indie/math rock with plenty of emotion. You can hear the Kid A/Amnesiac inspired basslines of Radiohead in Tim Curtis’ playing, and some of Anouska Sokolow vocals and guitar riffs evoke Wolf Alice. Holding the beat is Yuri Shibuichi who provides plenty of jazzy brushstrokes in his drumming. There is an intricacy and intimacy in their songs.

What is abundantly clear from the band is that they are having a brilliant time. The band vibe off each other and shoot many a smiling glance at each other as they deliver a short but sweet set in warming up the crowd, who show their appreciation. Their latest LP, Real Deal, is available now via Fat Possum.

MANIC STREET PREACHERS

Manic Street Preachers are a musical staple. Their songs have defined generations – especially in the 1990’s. With fifteen albums to go at, and a new one needing to be given its due, how do you manage to pick a set?

Well, Manic Street Preachers are masters, and know exactly what they’re doing. On the first of a two night stand at O2 Apollo Manchester, the Welsh trio select their set to perfection. The gambit of emotions on show appeals to those seeking complete joy or measured melancholy.

CRITICAL THINKING

Being played onstage to a remix of Critical Thinking, the band bound onstage and immediately get into the new record. A driving Decline & Fall is the first of a good clutch of tracks from Critical Thinking.

Peppered throughout the set are choice selections from the record. Nicky Wire takes to vocals for a crunching version of the title track. Wire precedes the track with an acknowledgement of the Mancunian poets he uses as inspiration for the track; Mark E Smith and John Cooper Clarke. With his hand in pocket, and lyric sheet in the other, Wire cuts a Cooper Clarke style figure.

Another highlight off the new record, and one of poignancy in this great city is Dear Stephen; a song written about one of the great lyricists to come out of the north. A love letter to Steven Patrick Morrissey, the song paraphrases lyrics from I Know It’s Over and Still Ill to name a few. There is a yearning for the past and the comfort that is found in music. For any discerning music fan, songs are the portal to another world. Here, Wire once again allows us a glimpse into his world.

CULTURE SUCKS DOWN WORDS

A trip back to the Manics debut comes in the form of the evergreen Motorcycle Emptiness. It’s a song this writer remembers hearing as an eight year old, and one that has stuck. Its status is backed up by the fact they’re still printing t-shirts for the track. The ‘all we want from you are the kicks you’ve given us’ is bellowed back towards the stage at James Dean Bradfield’s non verbal request.

For the material pre-1995, there is obviously the presence of Richey James. She Is Suffering is performed as a trio – it is raw and loud. Peeled Apples follows this; a latter day cut that uses lyrics written by Richey Edwards. It is a wonderful little tribute.

A particular surprise of the night is an acoustic rendition of P.C.P from The Holy Bible. Bradfield quips about trying to the remember the words for a first ever acoustic take of the song. He gives it both barrels as he ‘converts a post punk song into an acoustic one.’ Those that have been around the Manics for a while loved this. James Dean Bradfield’s voice is sounding as good as it ever has, even if he is feeling under the weather (he offered apology for a bad knee and the one leg spin not being up to usual standards).

Small Black Flowers That Grow In The Sky is also performed acoustically. It’s perhaps this one that leaves the greatest impression when it comes to Richey. Included on 1996’s Design For Life, it serves as tribute to the missing Richey.

GOLD AGAINST THE SOUL

When the Manics head back to their second record, it is hard not to get chills. La Tristesse Durera (A Scream To A Sigh) is wondrous. The crowd, yet again, deliver the chorus with full throated abandon. Sleepflower also makes the set from Gold Against The Soul. It is a stark reminder that the Manics can play as heavy as the best of them. The solo is great and the riffs are hulking. It’s spellbinding stuff.

When it came to pass how Manic Street Preachers would proceed following the loss of Richey Edwards, the band were catapulted to the mainstream with a series of massive singles from 1996’s Everything Must Go. Design For Life sees the Apollo bathed in confetti, mid set. A great ovation sweeps the venue as Sean Moore’s drum outro closes the song. Enola / Alone also gets an airing (as well as Small Black Flowers).

To follow Everything Must Go, This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours continued that upward trajectory. You Stole The Sun From My Heart is still one of the best Manics songs and The Everlasting starts as a Bradfield solo before the band file back on for the second half.

If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next closes out the show after a brilliant rendition of Motown Junk. It is pure power and a duo of songs that send the crowds away ecstatic.

A SOUNDTRACK TO THE VOID

There is a romanticism with Manic Street Preachers. However you’re feeling, you can always find a Manics song to help. As a band with a great moral code, they have always shed light on great people – be it writers, poets, artists, activists. Their past is storied and their output is exemplary; they are legends of the game and display this by the bucket load in Manchester.

From older favourites to deep cuts, this current chapter of Manic Street Preachers is one that has appeal in abundance. When you can mix classic older songs with brilliant latter day ones like Autumnsong, International Blue and You’re Love Alone Is Not Enough, the mix is deadly.

Hir oes iddynt deyrnasu!

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