THE MANIC STREET PREACHERS have confirmed that they turned down an invitation to appear at tomorrow’s Welsh Assembly gala concert Voices Of A Nation in Cardiff because the Queen will be attending.
They have not issued any statement, though a spokeswoman for the band confirmed that the presence of the Queen was the reason that they did not agree to play.
Famously, on ‘Repeat’ from their debut album ‘Generation Terrorists’ James Dean Bradfield sang “Repeat after me – Fuck Queen and Country”.
According to the band’s web site, however, the Manics will be represented at the Gala; a track from Patrick Jones‘s poetry album ‘Commemoration & Amnesia’ – released in July – will be performed.
‘Guerilla Tapestry’ – words by Patrick Jones, brother of Nicky Wire, music by James Dean Bradfield – will be performed by Welsh actors Ioan Gruffudd (star of Hornblower and Great Expectations), Matthew Rhys, Andrew Howard and Rakie Ayola.
Among those performing at the concert are Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, The Stereophonics, John Cale, Shakin’ Stevens, Michael Ball and a massed version of Catatonia‘s ‘International Velvet’.