6 posts tagged “manic street preachers”
We walk over the river and down Temple Bar to the theatre. It is a beautiful night; everything in the world is desirable when the sun is out. I recall the time I saw The Divine Comedy at the Olympia. I love the show; it is one of the most enjoyable Manics performances I can remember. They come out and play the entire “Journal for the Plague Lovers” album beneath the backdrop of the Jenny Saville sleeve. It changes everything seeing them as a three piece again, not since the performances around the time of “Everything Must Go” were they like this. It reminds me of when Richie was hospitalised just after The Holy Bible and they went out and played Reading as a three piece. They were dangerous and tonight there is a bit of that back in their spine again. I love hearing the new songs live, some of the best riffs that James has composed. There is real poignancy as well. The left hand side of the stage looks particularly empty tonight and it is difficult not to be moved by Nicky’s rendition of “William’s last Words.
We take a brief break for a drink during the interval before the band return to play the greatest hits set opening with a glorious “Motorcycle Emptiness” followed by the great version of “Your Love Alone” There is not much I feel I miss out on. “La Tristessa” is there as is “Little Baby Nothing”. They have finally rehabilitated “Tsunami” which had lain dormant following the Boxing Day disaster. The highlight of the night, in fact a real moment in my career is when Nicky dedicates “Faster” to Rob for letting them record “The Holy Bible” and to me for letting them record “Journal for the Plague Lovers” I have come a long way from that day sat in my office in Charing Cross Road listening to the 10” of “Faster” for the first time and thinking just what a remarkable piece of music it was I go downstairs into the stalls to use the toilet. The sound down there is immense; it is such a brutal assault. I return and sit next to Martin and get to watch the bouncers deal with any crowd trouble, pulling out the surfers. I am transfixed by the girls in front of Wire. They are devoted to him for the entire show. They are pretty cute as well, all of them with big sunglasses which they all pull down during one number when Nicky is wearing his. Martin tells me they follow the band everywhere and only have eyes for Nicky. I do love the romance of this band; there are precious few of them left.
Angie and I have to be over at Television Centre to see The Manics. I am frustrated that we don’t have an opportunity to say hello to them as we are arriving just as they are warming up for the recorded show. It is a good line up; I am thrilled to be in the same room as Booker T. The Manics’ first run through of “Jackie Collins” is abandoned by James halfway through, he is clearly nervous playing this new material and as a three piece for the first time in years. They
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