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The Review - MUSIC - grooves with RóISíN GADELRAB
Published: 4 June 2009

Stirring Manics’ manifesto comes in two acts

REVIEW -
THE MANIC STREET PREACHERS
Camden Roundhouse

THE Manics inspire such fanaticism among their fans, many clad in Cuban military garb – or Welsh rugby tops – that the Roundhouse on Friday night could have been the platform for a political rally.
Playing to a backdrop of Jenny Saville’s blood-stroked Journal For Plague Lovers cover art – hung up like punk insignia – James, Sean and Nicky carved their music into two, tearing through the new album during the opening half of the night. The reverence for Richey Edwards’ words was clear, as new songs with familiar resonance of catharsis for the disaffected enchanted the crowd, including a lead vocal performance from Wire on William’s Last Words.
While frontman James looked typically dynamic, Nicky Wire stood statuesque throughout due to a spinal problem.
After theatrically drawing breath for a short interval, they returned with the operatic drama of Motorcycle Emptiness, and it was easy riding from there, as the fans’ favourites were rolled out. Faster, You Love Us, La Tristesse Durera and Motown Junk remain profoundly inciteful to followers thirsting for a taste of revolution, if only for one evening.
A stirring blast of the symbol of Manics renaissance that is Design For Life concluded the benign uprising.
ALLAN LEDWARD

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