Manic Street Preachers - Review

Last night saw Manic Street Preachers air rarities and new tracks during a career-spanning set as they kicked off their 2018 UK arena tour.

Heavy on material from their 13th album ‘Resistance Is Futile’, the Welsh rockers performed a total of six new songs as they took to the stage at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle for the first time in their careers.

With an impressive stage production and visuals made by award-winning director Kieran Evans, the band’s 23 song set also featured the live debut of ‘Everything Must Go’ era B-side ‘Horses Under Starlight’, along with the first live outing of rarity ‘4 Ever Delayed’ for the first time in over 10 years.

Despite the experimental set, the older, more aggressive numbers made the most impact on a raucous crowd, with the band combining songs with a video backdrop showing footage of the band’s formative years, complete with the presence of Richey Edwards, whose lyrics and life story were so integral to the Manics’ success.

‘Motorcycle Emptiness’, ‘Slash n Burn’, ‘You Love Us’ and ‘Faster’ have long been firm favourites, but the implied presence of Edwards, who is presumed dead after disappearing in early 1995, gave the classics a raw, emotional feel.

The performance was a real treat for die-hard Manic’s fans, with front man James Dean Bradfield locking together with eccentric lead guitarist Nicky Wire to prove they’re worthy of the NME God-Like Genius title once bestowed upon them.