Manic Street Preachers Manchester Ritz 27.09.13

Manic Street Preachers Manchester Ritz  27.09.13

 

Its been 6 years since I last seen this band play in the city, tonight they are playing one of their smallest venues to date, Manchester's Ritz, although  they are much thought of as an Arena band 20 years plus in the music business and well respected.

 

 

The 1st time I seen the band was in 1992 I was an upcoming teenager they played a small local venue and Richey was in the band at the time and it was at the time I was finding my music roots I chose to watch from the low balcony on the left not really part of crowds, I recall Richey wearing a Bright Pink feather boa and Nicky a Kylie T-shirt with Bright blue eyeshadow on I still remember like it was yesterday. they were still Breaking out onto the scene from Blackwood South Wales in early 1990's waking the world up to Punk Rock of 21st Century they certainly woke me up .

 

Fans came from far and wide today just to see them one lad had travelled from Oxfordshire and some from Leeds and Cambridge mixed age group some really young and some in 40-50s the band  have universal appeal and are loved by many, queuing started early so I organised us by number again.

 

Doors opened at 7pm ,support tonight came from "Public Service Broadcasting" a male 2 peice from London,they were a bit like a modern 'Kraftwerk' and the used computers to talk and old samples from war related era films as the music was a bit strange, on stage there were 2 old style tv screens one huge on centre stage and another to the left ( well it is the year of #BIG TV sorry..) Their samples reminded me of how the Manic's used to use a lot of samples in their work so it fitted nicely with the theme.

 

At around 9pm the stage is set ready for the band ,I can hardly believe I'm standing here waiting for this band to play, they walk on James Dean Bradfield wearing a suit and Nicky Wire wearing a Red Suit (No Skirts tonight folks) looking charismatic, Sean taking to his drum kit at the back, additional musicians to the left a guitarist and trumpet player.

 

They kick things off with 'Motorcycle Emptiness' this would of have been an epic moment only 3 drunken people decided to make mine and my guests live's difficult because they were basically peaved they were not at the front so they proceeded in calling us names  like slxg, cxnt (did I mention by the way they were women) oh and they didn't like me taking pictures ah shame !!

 

Anyway I thought let them get on with it not budging .. tonight was about showcasing 'Rewind The Film' so we were treated to new songs and very clever well thought setlist they played album favs and singles such as 'Ready For Drowning' followed by 'Your Love Alone Is Not Enough' which prompted a sing along and the classic indie anthem 'You Stole The Sun' a classic B side taken 'From Despair To Where' single  called 'Sleepflower' such a tune I forget about how ace the guitars sounded on it.

 

They followed it up with the epic Rock Anthem 'You Love Us' and 'If You Tolerate This...' one of their biggest selling no1 singles in the U.K.,there was a lovely acoustic set with 'James' on guitar a lovely version of 'The Everlasting' and 'Cant take My Eyes Off You' which always reminds me of MUSE as they covered it in 2002 although 'Manic's covered it before they did  respect.

They even played a track from 'Holy Bible' 'Revol' and the haunting 'Tsunami'  lovely to hear these songs again live its been too long.

My left arm is doing the work crunching down on intruding fingers on the barrier the person behind me has scrapped and scratched my skin to try and push her way on 'Bitch' still I stand there enjoying the band that I have long admired for years and showing my appreciation .

 

Encore time and 'Nicky' returns to the stage in a white suit covered with patches and a captains hat, he looks iconic tonight, they speak about 'Richey' and how he was a legend still at which point they dedicated 'Motown Junk' to him, I almost cry its moving to see how they have all coped with his loss and yet still play with passion and conviction, I hope they are still together in another 10 years.

 

They finish with  Indie Anthem 'A Design For Life', at one point James stops playing as the audience take over the second verse,he still does the twisting around with his guitar and he still looks like he's in his youth.

It's quite possibly the best Manic's show I have seen this decade, totally amazing if you have never seen 'Manic Street Preachers' where have you been ?? this show was worth the bruises.

 

I Should have some pics soon from the show keep your eyes peeled folks!!

Stay Beautiful xox

 

 

 

Lmi   x