Manic Street Preachers Ignite Passion and Energy in Manchester at the O2 Apollo.

Freelance Music Journalist Alison Jones 2nd May 2025

From the outset, there was a distinctly Mancunian vibe to the Manic Street Preachers' sold out performance on Friday night at the timeless art deco Apollo theatre in Ardwick.  

James Dean Bradfield's spontaneous renditions of the city's most iconic guitar riffs, including “This Charming Man,” “Step On,” and “I Am the Resurrection,” along with Nicky Wire’s spoken word track “Critical Thinking,” inspired by Mark E. Smith and John Cooper Clarke, showcased the heartfelt connection the Blackwood boys have with Manchester. 

The five star performance felt like a powerful homecoming, reflecting the band’s deep ties with the city. Wire reminisced about performing “Motown Junk” in Manchester 35 years ago and celebrated their journey through various venues, including Etihad Stadium, Maine Road, Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester Arena, the Boardwalk, the Academy, and Castlefield Bowl.  

The longevity, success, and consistency of this three-piece band are nothing short of remarkable. With numerous awards, two UK No. 1 albums on the Official Albums Charts, and 34 Top 40 singles in the UK, they have solidified their legacy. 

Their 15th studio album, the newly released "Critical Thinking," which reached No. 2 on the Albums Charts, is a testament to their unmatched passion and intensity. 

Their world class performance tonight featured a backdrop of inspiring quotes from Anthony Burgess and Christopher Hitchens, prominently showcasing the band’s new material.  The jangly, upbeat, piano-led track “Decline & Fall” set a vibrant tone; Bradfield's powerful voice resonated deeply, complemented by Sean Moore's driving drums. 

Wire’s spoken-word piece “Critical Thinking” was impressively punchy, and keyboardist Dave Eringa’s contributions on “Brushstrokes of Reunion” were noteworthy. The reflective track “Dear Stephen,” inspired by Manchester’s own Morrissey, smoothly transitioned into a stunning guitar solo from Bradfield, while “Sleepflower” highlighted Wire’s catchy bass line and a glorious guitar solo from Bradfield during their rendition of “People Ruin Paintings.”  Described by Wire as a “riff machine,” Bradfield's prowess as both a vocalist and guitarist is especially striking. 

Midway through the set, Wire, Moore, Eringa, and touring guitarist Wayne Murray left the stage, allowing Bradfield to shine in a solo acoustic section. This included snippets of “This Charming Man,” “Step On,” and “I Am the Resurrection,” followed by heartfelt tributes to the Manics’ legendary lyricist Richey Edwards, featuring acoustic renditions of “P.C.P” and “Small Black Flowers That Grow in the Sky.” 

This segment culminated in a powerful solo-led performance of “The Everlasting,” during which the band rejoined him halfway through the track.  With a setlist that beautifully blended classics and new material, tracks like “La Tristesse Durera,” the irresistibly catchy “Autumnsong,” and the fan-favorite “Motorcycle Emptiness” had the audience singing the lyrics back to Bradfield in a wave of euphoria. 

Renditions of “Peeled Apples” and “She Is Suffering,” performed without Murray and Eringa, provided poignant moments as the band paid tribute to Edwards.  As the night drew to a close, the three-piece finished the set with a powerful one-two punch of “Motown Junk” and “If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next,” leaving the audience uplifted and in a state of awe, having truly tamed the "Beast of the Apollo.

The band take the stage again on their second sold out show  at the Apollo on the 3rd May.