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The tour begins in Glasgow at the OVO Arena and will head to Leeds and then Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. They will spend two nights in Cardiff at the Utilita Arena before playing the O2 Arena in London. They’ll wrap up the run with nights in Birmingham, Nottingham and Bournemouth. 

In a review of their joint UK run in 2024, Clash said, “As it transpires, one of the few allies Suede can count on in British music are Manic Street Preachers. Literate, devoutly non-laddish indie rock, the pair are honorary members of the awkward squad, influencing the mainstream while facing antithetically against it. Hence this tour: Manic Street Preachers and Suede on the bill, swapping positions dependent on who the ‘home team’ – the headliner – is deemed to be that night.”

The band’s parallels has been reflected not only in their sound but also in similar moments in their careers. James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers spoke about this to NME ahead of the band’s 2022 North American run. He recalled the 1994 European tour with Suede, “I vividly remember those gigs because Richey [Edwards, now missing guitarist] was coming back from what you might call his emotional event and was insisting that he wanted to come on the road.” He spoke to the ways band had to adjust, saying “we were treading softly with Richey at some points,” But found commonalities in this with their tour mates: “Suede had lost Bernard Butler as their guitarist and were going through the transition of Richard Oakes coming into the band.” Commenting on both their careers as well as their performance, Bradfield said “[Suede] kind of share the same path as us. They’ve been through a few things and they’re still here.” 

In February 2025, Manic Street Preachers released their 15^th studio album, ‘Critical Thinking.’ It peaked at Number 2 on the UK Official Album charts and received 4 out of 5 stars from The Guardian, The Times and NME. 

Suede released their tenth studio album, ‘Antidepressants’ in September 2025. It also peaked at Number 2 on the UK Official Album charts, nodding again to the parallels in Suede and Manic’s careers. The album received a 9/10 from Line of Best Fit and an 8/10 from Clash. 

Tickets go on sale at 9:30am BST Friday May 1. Find access to those here. 

The new single, ‘Brushstrokes of Reuinion,’ marks a significant moment for the Manics, the song blends shimmering guitar melodies with introspective lyrics, 

Fans will be able to purchase ‘Critical Thinking’ in various formats, including digital downloads, streaming platforms, standard CD, deluxe edition CD (which features bonus demo tracks), vinyl, and limited-edition cassette. Pre-orders are currently available via the band’s official website and major music retailers. A special 7″ vinyl single will also be released exclusively through selected independent record stores.

‘Critical Thinking’ has been a long time coming. Originally slated for release in late 2024, the album faced multiple delays due to production challenges and the band’s desire to perfect their sound. After months of anticipation, it will finally be available to the public on February 14, 2025. 

Musically, ‘Critical Thinking’ continues the sonic evolution that began with 2021’s ‘The Ultra Vivid Lament,’ incorporating influences from classic pop, alternative rock, and even orchestral elements. If the previously released tracks ‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ and ‘Decline & Fall’ are anything to go by, the album will feature soaring melodies, intricate lyricism, and a balance between politically charged anthems and introspective ballads. Nicky Wire has described the album as “a record of opposites colliding – of dialectics trying to find a path of resolution”.

Available exclusively on the Manics official store, the vinyl collector’s bundle includes a bonus 7” single with two additional tracks ‘Let The Light Return’ & ‘Johatsu’, + signed art card.

‘Critical Thinking’ is released on Feb 7th, pre-order now: https://t.co/IssLRnaCE4 pic.twitter.com/Thj0U01qrZ

— Manic Street Preachers (@Manics) January 27, 2025

Formed in 1986 in Blackwood, Wales, Manic Street Preachers quickly made a name for themselves with their politically charged lyrics, punk-infused energy, and striking aesthetic. The band originally consisted of James Dean Bradfield (vocals, guitar), Nicky Wire (bass, lyrics), Sean Moore (drums), and Richey Edwards (rhythm guitar, lyrics), whose mysterious disappearance in 30 years ago today – on 1st February 1995 – remains one of rock’s greatest unsolved tragedies.

The Manics have an extensive back catalog of critically acclaimed and commercially successful hits. Among their most famous songs, ‘A Design for Life’ stands out as a triumphant anthem that became their defining hit, exploring class struggle and resilience. ‘If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next‘ remains their only UK #1 single, inspired by the Spanish Civil War. ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’ is a brooding, poetic critique of consumerism, while ‘Everything Must Go‘ symbolises their transition after Richey Edwards’ disappearance.

The Manics will be hitting the road in support of Critical Thinking, with a UK and European tour planned for the spring.

UK Tour Dates:

• April 11, 2025: Glasgow Barrowland

• April 12, 2025: Glasgow Barrowland

• April 18, 2025: London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

• April 19, 2025: London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

• April 25, 2025: Wolverhampton The Civic at The Halls

• April 26, 2025: Bristol Beacon

• May 2, 2025: Manchester O2 Apollo

• May 3, 2025: Manchester O2 Apollo

• May 9, 2025: Swansea Arena

• May 10, 2025: Swansea Arena

Festival Appearances:

• May 21, 2025: Bearded Theory Festival, Catton Park, Derbyshire

• May 24, 2025: Live at Leeds in the Park

• June 19, 2025: Azkena Rock Festival, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

• July 11, 2025: Bospop Festival, Weert, Netherlands

• August 20, 2025: Allas, Helsinki, Finland

• August 23, 2025: Foynhagen, Tønsberg, Norway

Tickets for all dates are available via their official website and major ticket vendors.

With Critical Thinking set to finally arrive next week and an exciting tour on the horizon, 2025 is shaping up to be another landmark year for Manic Street Preachers. 

Manic Street Preachers – ‘Critical Thinking’

The Manic Street Preachers, an iconic Welsh rock band formed in 1986, are celebrated for their mix of anthemic rock and introspective, often political lyrics. The band’s upcoming album, ‘Critical Thinking’, is scheduled for release on January 31, 2025. This will be their fifteenth studio album, following 2021’s ‘The Ultra Vivid Lament’.

Early reports suggest that ‘Critical Thinking’ will continue the lush, orchestral soundscapes introduced in their previous work, with a balance of introspection and the socially conscious lyrics the band is known for.While the specifics of the album’s themes haven’t been fully disclosed, the title ‘Critical Thinking’ hints at a reflective, possibly politically charged narrative, fitting their reputation for engaging with societal issues.

The album will feature the single ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’, with the bassist Nicky Wire on lead vocals, a rare occurrence in the band’s discography.

Ed Sheeran – Title unknown

Ed Sheeran, one of the UK’s most successful singer-songwriters, is known for his ability to blend heartfelt lyrics with a variety of musical styles, from acoustic ballads to upbeat pop tracks. Since his debut with ‘+’ in 2011, Sheeran has become a global sensation, delivering chart-topping albums like ‘x’, ‘÷’,  and ‘-’. After the introspective and acoustic-driven tone of ‘-’ (2023), Sheeran has hinted that his 2025 album will mark a return to the pop-centric style that defined his earlier hits like ‘Shape of You’ and ‘Bad Habits’.

Ed Sheeran to release a new album in 2025, Variety reports.

It’s already finished with two music videos shot. He describes it as a return to “big pop.” pic.twitter.com/Sr8LkTl25h

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) December 11, 2024

While Sheeran hasn’t disclosed specific themes, he has mentioned that this album reflects a “new chapter” in his life, possibly inspired by personal milestones such as fatherhood and his evolving perspective as an artist. Sheeran’s ability to reinvent his sound while maintaining widespread appeal makes this upcoming release one of the most anticipated albums of 2025.

The Wombats – ‘Oh! The Ocean’

The Wombats are a British indie rock band formed in Liverpool in 2003, known for their catchy melodies, quirky lyrics, and energetic sound, they gained fame with hits like ‘Let’s Dance to Joy Division’ and ‘Moving to New York’. Over the years, their music has evolved to incorporate electronic elements while maintaining their indie charm. The Wombats’ sixth studio album, ‘Oh! The Ocean’, is scheduled for release on February 14, 2025.

The band has described ‘Oh! The Ocean’ as their most ambitious album to date, blending their trademark upbeat sound with darker, introspective undertones. The album reportedly explores themes of mental health, isolation, and finding solace in unexpected places, inspired by the band’s experiences during recent global challenges. The single ‘Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come’ is already generating buzz for its witty lyrics and infectious chorus.

Sam Fender – ‘People watching’

Sam Fender is a British singer-songwriter and musician from North Shields, England. Known for his powerful vocals, anthemic indie-rock sound, and deeply personal and socially aware lyrics, Fender has become one of the most celebrated artists of his generation. His debut album, ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ (2019), and follow-up, ‘Seventeen Going Under’ (2021), both received critical acclaim, with the latter earning him a BRIT Award for Best British Alternative/Rock Act.

Sam Fender’s third studio album, ‘People Watching’, is set for release on February 21, 2025. As the title suggests, the album explores themes of observation, human connection, and introspection. Fender has revealed in interviews that the album was inspired by his experiences during the last few years, including the pressures of fame and his reflections on the people and stories around him.

While specific tracks haven’t been officially released yet, early reports indicate that the album’s lead single will premiere in early 2025. Fender has described it as a “cathartic anthem” that sets the tone for the rest of the record. Following the massive success of ‘Seventeen Going Under’, which resonated deeply with fans and critics alike, ‘People Watching’ is expected to further solidify Fender’s reputation as one of the most vital voices in contemporary music.

The Sherlocks – ‘Everything Must Make Sense‘

The Sherlocks are an English indie rock band formed in 2010 in South Yorkshire. Known for their anthemic, guitar-driven sound, The Sherlocks gained attention with tracks like ‘Chasing Shadows’ and ‘Will You Be There?’. Their fifth studio album, ‘Everything Must Make Sense’, is set to be released on February 21, 2025.

The band describes the album as a return to their raw, guitar-driven roots, with a fresh energy inspired by their live performances. The album will reportedly tackle themes of finding clarity in chaos, personal growth, and navigating life’s uncertainties. The Sherlocks have so far released three singles from the new album, including ‘Death Of Me‘, ‘Man on the Loose‘, and ‘Bones‘.

With a loyal fanbase and a reputation for heartfelt, relatable music, ‘Everything Must Make Sense’ is highly anticipated by indie rock enthusiasts. It’s poised to showcase The Sherlocks’ maturity and reaffirm their place in the UK music scene.

Aside from the artists above, Inhaler, The Darkness, FKA twigs, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, have all also announced the release of their new albums in the new year. Some of them as early as January 2025.

The book is being released on June 28th via Long Moon Farther, and you can pre-order it here. The band are only releasing 200 copies of the book, and the first 100 will be a special signed copy.

Nicky Wire, a member of the band, took to social media and thanked Valerie Phillips who has found these images that had long been deemed lost, and has captured the “ragged glory of Manic Street Preachers and more importantly captured our little bit of history”.

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The time in which the photographs were taken, was when the band were rocketing through the charts and breaking through into mainstream music, and when they released their first album ‘Generation Terrorists’ that featured hit songs such as ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’ and ‘You Love Us’.

Whilst being a rock band, that helped to define the sound of the 90s, the band are also extremely proud of their Welsh roots, and during the 1990s, they played a key part of the Welsh Cool Cymru cultural movement that helped to bring Welsh culture, such as the Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics and independent Welsh films to mainstream culture. The band were pioneers of this era for Welsh music, and made it just as iconic as Britpop. The Manics formed in 1986 in the Welsh town of Blackwood at school in 1986, and from there found immense success.

Phillips, the photographer for the new book, was with the band for an extended period of time, spanning over twenty months, and her photos were loved by the band, and by fans, with her images being used for their album cover of ‘Send Away The Tigers’ in 2007. Phillips told NME how she was “asked to get a train to a small town in Wales to take pictures of Manic Street Preachers” and how from there, their “starting-out all-consuming little worlds… collided”.

Over thirty years on, the band are still finding success and are soon to start their UK and Ireland tour, that begins on June 28th in Llangollen, in the band’s home country, and takes them across the UK, with performances in Cardiff, Manchester, and London and any remaining tickets can be found here. Later this year, the now three piece are performing at BBC Radio 2 in the Park in Preston, and you can find tickets here.

The two bands toured together across the United States last year and are preparing to do two shows together again in Japan, this upcoming winter. The bands are replicating a 1993 European Tour they both did together in a similar manner.

On the evidence of previous tours, when both Manic Street Preachers and Suede head towards the UK and Ireland in June and July of next year, each band will play around 75 minutes, alternating who plays last night by night. A breakdown on who is playing last can be found below.

Talking to BBC Breakfast about the tour earlier this morning (October 6^th), Manic Street Preachers bassist and lyricist Nicky Wire, said: “We’ve both got a dedicated fanbase, but we do share a gene pool and a rabid denomination of fans, it’s because we never belonged to anything apart from ourselves. We were never part of grunge, we never part of Britpop. And we just looked better than anyone back then anyway.”

Suede frontman, Brett Anderson added: “It’s really inspiring to have a band that you love playing with you. It’s like a friendly competition.”

The frontman for Manic Street Preachers, James Dean Bradfield spoke of the two bands before heading to tour the United States last year as he said: “A lot of bands were quite short on glamour at that point. They shared the same DNA with us of trading on an underground customised glamour. They had these dystopian, J.G. Ballard landscapes in a lot of the songs, so along those lines we definitely fitted. We were both quite visceral live bands too. Brett is one loud motherfucker on stage! They kind of share the same path as us. They’ve been through a few things and they’re still here.”

Suede are currently gearing up for a selection of UK headline shows in early December, to promote and support their album Autofiction, which came out last year.  Manic Street Preachers are currently recording a follow up to 2021’s The Ultra Vivid Lament, whilst bassist and lyricist Nick Wire has just released he’s second solo album, Intimism, earlier this year in July.

Tour dates:

28/06/2024 – Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod – Llangollen, Wales*
02/07 – Trinity College Dublin – Dublin, Republic of Ireland**
05/07 – Cardiff Castle – Cardiff, Wales*
10/07 – Edinburgh Castle – Edinburgh, Scotland*
12/07 – Castlefield Bowl – Manchester, England*
13/07 – Millenium Square – Leeds, England**
18/07 – Alexandra Palace Park – London, England**

Manic Street Preachers closing the show – *
Suede closing the show – **

Fantastic end to @LatitudeFest last night, @snowpatrol were endearing, powerful and fabulous – and then @edsheeran turned up!#Latitude2022 pic.twitter.com/6ycqRK6ETS

— Tony Langham (@TonyLangham) July 25, 2022

Thank you!! This was the perfect ending to a perfect weekend. @edsheeran and @snowpatrol at @LatitudeFest pic.twitter.com/I6OrUd9prX — Paula H (@pwag20) July 25, 2022

The band from Northern Ireland and Scotland, which includes Sheeran’s long-time collaborator, Johnny Mcdaid, played the closing slot on the Suffolk festival’s main stage last night with a fourteen-song setlist.

This time Sheeran returned the favour after Snow Patrol joined him for one of his secret shows at Latitude 2015 to sing the band’s hit “Chasing Cars.” Towards the end of the show, the band introduced Sheeran, and they proceeded to play Sheeran’s smash hit “Bad Habits” to the delight of the crowd. Sheeran then returned for the encore and joined the band on their hit song “Just Say Yes.”

Sheeran is currently on the European leg of his ‘ + – = ÷ x ‘ (pronounced Mathematics) world tour and seemingly took the break in his tour schedule to pop home and take in his local festival. Sheeran grew up in nearby Framlingham, Suffolk and now lives there with his wife and their two daughters. Sheeran recently finished the UK leg of his tour, rounding it off with five nights at London’s Wembley Stadium on July 1^st. Sheeran will resume the tour playing the Stade De France in Paris, France, on July 29^th for a two-night stint.

Snow Patrol are also currently on a European tour which will resume In Schaffhausen, Switzerland, on August 4th, 2022. The band announced on Twitter earlier in the month that they will be playing an acoustic show on August 31^st, 2022, at the Mckee Clock Arena, Bangor. Tickets are available here, with all the proceeds from the show going towards turning the Bangor courthouse into a non-profit music venue.

Tickets for our acoustic show in Bangor are on sale now! We can’t wait. Hopefully see you there! g L.x

Tickets available at https://t.co/TJmAwWPDwX pic.twitter.com/WqQ00AJqjq

— Snow Patrol (@snowpatrol) July 8, 2022

Latitude Festival is one of the more relaxed and family-friendly festivals of the summer, with sit-down restaurants and an on-site wellness retreat adding to the friendly atmosphere.  On Saturday night, the Oxford band Foals closed out the day “in vicious style…their 90-minute set is a celebration of their party-starting potency as the band further cement their place as guitar-driven masters of the rave,” NME said in their review of the festival. The always candid crooner Lewis Capaldi headlined on Friday, announcing to the crowd that the reason for the lack of new material was that he spent most of the lockdown “masturbating away.”

Snow Patrol, Sheeran and Capaldi weren’t the only British musical acts making waves at the festival, with Welsh legends, The Manic Street Preachers taking the stage before Snow Patrol. NME saying that the band’s performance of their song, “If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next” felt “particularly poignant, especially with so many parents singing along surrounded by their young children.”    

Snow Patrol’s latitude 2022 setlist:

1. “Chocolate”
2. “Take Back the City”
3. “Crack the Shutters”
4. “Run”
5. “Set the Fire to the Third Bar” (With Martha Wainwright on videotape)
6. “Open Your Eyes”
7. “Life on Earth”
8. “Make This Go On Forever”
9. “Shut Your Eyes”
10. “You’re All I Have”
11. “Bad Habits ” (Ed Sheeran cover) (with Ed Sheeran)
12. “Chasing Cars”

Encore:

13. “What If This Is All the Love You Ever Get?”
14. “Just Say Yes” (with Ed Sheeran)

Snow Patrol UK Acoustic Show:
31/08/2022 – Mckee Clock Arena – Bangor

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The cancelled show was to be the band’s debut performance at the venue and was part of the band’s series of summer shows, this season will also see the “A Design for Life” hitmakers perform across various festivals and live events. Fans will get a chance to catch the Welsh rockers at this year’s Latitude Festival, the band will perform on 24th July 2022 at Suffolk’s most popular event. The four-day festival is set to kick off this year on 21st July 2022 and boasts a star-studded roster headlined by Lewis Capaldi, Foals and Snow Patrol, also performing at Henham Park are Groove Armada, Rina Sawayama and Modest Mouse.

The Manic Street Preacher’s second festival appearance of the season will take place on 29th July 2022 at Y Not Festival, the Derbyshire held event celebrates its eighth year in 2022 and kicks off on 29^th July 2022. The band are scheduled to headline the three-day event on Friday and will be joined by Stereophonics as the main acts, also billed to headline the event are Courteeners, Nothing But Thieves, Blossoms and The Vaccines.

The group will conclude their festival run with a set at Lakefest on 13th August 2022, the Herefordshire held festival will be held on 11th-14th August 2022 and promises a unique family friendly experience. Manic Street Preachers will headline the event on Saturday, the festival’s third day will also feature performances from Reef, Louse Redknapp and The Reytons. The all-inclusive event will be held in a picturesque venue within Eastnor Castle Deer Park and features a star-studded line-up, also scheduled to headline the activity-packed event are UB40, Leftfield and British rockers Supergrass. Amongst the 190 acts and activities available to ticket-holders, Lakefest have also confirmed that The Red Devils, the parachute display team, will also be appearing at this year’s event.

The Red Devils will be joining us again this year, parachuting their way through the festival Gold ticket holders will have a chance to join them, with an automatic entry to win a FREE tandem skydive. Don’t miss your chance https://t.co/afCCgtaotQ #lakefest10 pic.twitter.com/iQQ8qtl17n

— Lakefest (@Lakefestuk) June 7, 2022

The band have recently finished a run of live dates with American rockers The Killers, the Manic Street Preachers supported the “Mr Brightside” hitmakers during their UK stadium tour. Both bands last performed together on 1st June 2022 at Middlesbrough River Stadium, 53-year-old singer Bradfield has spoken on the tour, “It’s been great watching The Killers, watching a frontman like Brandon Flowers still wanting it that much. For me it’s inspiring. Being further down the road in your career, to get up and just go on stage and just still want to absolutely own everything is quite inspiring – it is the secret of being in a band, you’ve still got to really want it.”

A new date for the Manic Street Preacher’s postponed show has yet to be announced, further details concerning the concert will be confirmed in due course.

Manic Street Preachers UK tour dates

24/07/2022 – Latitude Festival – Suffolk
29/07 – Y Not Festival – Derbyshire
13/08 – Lakefest – Herefordshire

Click here to purchase tickets.

Enjoyed playing it live so much decided to record a studio version- pic.twitter.com/ZgC3Y4y0eV

— Manic Street Preachers (@Manics) April 30, 2022

The band commenced the BBC Music Festival this year with a performance at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff, which marked the band’s very first appearance at the beloved Welsh venue. The group played a sixteen-song set, during which they performed the aforementioned Madonna tune, capturing the playful energy of the original with a few more crunchy guitar tones added in for good measure. “Borderline” was Madonna’s first Top 10 Billboard hit, and featured on her 1984 self-titled album.

Although a release date for the cover is yet to be announced, the band took to social media to post a clip, stating: “Enjoyed playing it live so much decided to record a studio version.”  You can also view an HD video of their live cover of “Borderline” down below.

In other news, Manic Street preachers recently performed at a benefit concert for Ukraine, performing their 1998 tune “If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next”.  The benefit show took place at Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, in order to raise money for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Manic Street Preachers were formed in Blackwood, Wales in 1986, and currently consists of James Dean Bradfield on vocals and guitar, Sean Moore on drums and Nicky Wire on bass. The band signed a record deal with Damaged Goods Records in 1990 to record one E.P. entitled New Art Riot, which attracted a good deal of media attention. The band would later sign with Columbia Records, which led to the group working on their debut album Generation Terrorists, which was released in 1992, and consisted of eighteen songs lasting over seventy minutes. Speaking of the album retrospectively, Pitchfork writer Joe Tangari said that the record: “walked a weird line between agit-punk, cock rock, romantic melodicism and glam, and was so obviously patterned after the Clash’s London Calling that it was actually kind of cute.”

Manic Street Preachers will be performing live on a handful of occasions throughout the year, including some festival appearances such as Latitude in Henham Park, Suffolk and Y Not Festival in Pikehall, Derbyshire. The group’s full touring schedule, as well as ticket information, can be found on their website.

In September they announced the first wave of music acts with Courteeners, Blossoms, Nothing But Thieves among others. “WE ARE BUZZING TO ANNOUNCE OUR FIRST WAVE OF ACTS FOR Y NOT FESTIVAL 2022! SO EXCITED TO WELCOME BOTH COURTEENERS AND BLOSSOMS AS OUR HEADLINERS, PLUS A RETURNING HEADLINER TO BE REVEALED SOON..” they shared at the time. 

Yesterday, the festival organisers topped up the list with legends, Stereophonics and Welsh rockers Manic Street Preachers. The Vaccines and Nothing But Thieves are also added to the slot. “The new editions don’t stop there… Easy Life, Sea Girls, The Snuts, Dinosaur Pile Up, The Big Moon, Black Honey, Orla Gartland, The Reytons, The Futureheads, Dream Wife, Yard Act, Billie Marten & Baby Queen are all along for the long awaited 15th edition of Y Not!” tease organisers.

The 15th edition of the festival will take place between 29-31 July in Pikehall and it looks incredible already. Stereophonics will make a comeback after their headline set in 2017. The band’s founding member Richard Jones said: “We can’t wait to finally play Y Not again next summer – if the last time we performed there is anything to go by, next year’s festival will be great“.

“Back in 2017 the rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the crowd who were up for a good time – I remember watching Slaves and Jake Bugg who were both on form. After a tough couple of years for everyone, it will be a very memorable weekend. See you there!”

Four-time Brit award winner Manic Street Preachers will also join the 2022 stage sharing the biggest hits and some tracks from their recent No 1 album The Ultra Vivid Lament.

Justin Young from The Vaccines, who also played at the festival in 2017 said: “In 2017, we sat backstage in torrential rain desperately hoping that we’d be allowed to play for everyone at Y Not”.

“The gods decided it wasn’t to be, and we left the festival as miserable as the weather. So we couldn’t be happier that after a 5 year wait, we’re finally getting the chance to right that wrong and bring the thunder ourselves…”

Tickets to the festival and more info are available here. You can win VIP tickets to the festival by retweeting the below tweet. Good Luck!

LIKE AND RETWEET FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 6X VIP TICKETS WITH THURSDAY ENTRY!!!

HERE IT IS! So excited for the long awaited performances by Stereophonics and Manic Street Preachers, while The Vaccines return for a thunderous set on the Sunday

https://t.co/czQUqAnUZw pic.twitter.com/2LTRPtFNbs

— Y Not Festival (@ynotfestival) November 4, 2021

“And in the rhythm of your voice
I find space to rejoice
My complicated illusions
Leave me with no choice”

‘Complicated Illusions’ The new Manics single with a unique visual from Kieran Evans: https://t.co/x9Mk9C1Knl

Streaming now: https://t.co/wlUexYn8IJ pic.twitter.com/HRaHnkZluI

— Manic Street Preachers (@Manics) October 8, 2021

This new album has proved to be a roaring success for the group, marking their first Number One album in twenty-three years, with their 1998 record This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours being their first release to hone this title. According to Sony Music, the band said of their achievement: “It’s amazing to be back at No.1 after 23 years- it was a titanic chart battle, and we are absolutely over the moon.” A recent review of the album by NME’s Patrick Clarke called it an “album of dramatic piano flourishes and rushes of guitar; of old-school duets and soaring power pop choruses” a description that is most certainly exemplified by the single “Complicated Illusions”.

Manic Street Preachers have likened “Complicated Illusions” to “More Than This era” Roxy Music, David Bowie and Echo and the Bunnymen, describing the song as “the battle between chaos and calm with a gliding majestic lyrical flow”. The comparisons definitely ring true, with the song featuring a soaring, Bowie-esque chorus and a gentle verse vocal line that evokes memories of Bryan Ferry’s performances in Roxy Music’s 1982 album Avalon.

The visualiser was created by filmmaker Kieran Evans, a Welsh filmmaker known for his directorial work on various music documentaries such as Vashti Bunyan: From Here To Before, David Gilmour: Wider Horizons and the drama film Kelly + Victor. Evans said of his approach to creating the video for “Complicated Illusions”: “I’ve always felt the track feels like an epic soundtrack to an as yet made film so I’ve gone for a visual/lyric type affair using a similar aesthetic / approach to a lot of Netflix type title sequences using minimal / small type over multi-layered imagery.” The video can be viewed on the band’s YouTube channel.

The Ultra Vivid Lament is available via all streaming services, and there are numerous physical versions (including 12” vinyl, CD and picture disc) available on the band’s website.

Presently, Manic Street Preachers are in the middle of a UK tour, of which there are five remaining dates. These are listed down below, and tickets can be purchased at this link.

11/10/2022- Corn Exchange, Cambridge
13/10/22- Bath Forum, Bath
14/10/22- Brighton Dome, Brighton
01/12- Venue Cymru Arena, Llandudno
03/22- SSE Arena Wembley, London