RENEWED APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION

The Manics rediscover their punk roots on home turf...

MANIC STREET PREACHERS, returned to their punk roots tonight (March 8) at CARDIFF COAL EXCHANGE, with a violent hometown show.

The band performed their first UK date since their New Year’s Eve show in 1999 at the nearby Millennium Stadium at the 600-capacity Coal Exchange.

The band took the opportunity to completely destroy all their equipment, following an hour-long set which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 1. The band completed their show with an anthemic version of ‘A Design For Life’, at the end of which singer James Dean Bradfield took his prized white Les Paul Gibson guitar and smashed it into two pieces against the stage, before walking off.

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Bassist Nicky Wire followed, smashing his bass, before walking over to the amplifiers and pushing them over, and doing the same to the drumkit.

Wire then stood on the drum riser, surveying the destruction in front of him.

He gave a smile, waved to the audience, and left the stage.

This followed a set which showcased the Manics’ intention to return to their stripped-down, punk sound.

The band played nine songs from their forthcoming album, ‘Know Your Enemy’, as well as Manics classics such as ‘Motown Junk’ and ‘You Love Us’.

They also played raw versions of their more orchestral moments, including ‘You Stole The Sun From My Heart’ and ‘Australia’.

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Fans had been queuing outside the small venue since 7am today, to see the band.

One told NME.COM: ‘I’ve been waiting 12 months for this. I just wanted to make sure I was at the front.’

Once onstage, Wire was on acerbic form. Wearing a white nurse’s uniform, and knee-high pink and white socks and a tiara, he disregarded the show being aired live on national radio, spitting at the end of ‘Miss Europa Disco Dancer’: ‘Braindead motherfuckers’ over and over again.

That song also saw Wire take the lead guitar duties, with James Dean Bradfield playing bass.

The setlist ran:

Found That Soul

Motorcycle Emptiness

So Why So Sad

Kevin Carter

Ocean Spray

The Masses Against The Classes

If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next

Let Robeson Sing

You Stole The Sun From My Heart

The Year Of Purification

Baby Elian

Miss Europa Disco Dancer

Wattsville Blues

Freedom Of Speech Won’t Feed My Children

Australia

You Love Us

A Design For Life

For NME.COM’s video report from the gig, [url=]click here…

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