Manic Street Preachers, Truro, 3rd June 2007

There are 1800 folk in tonight for a gig that sold out in just over an hour. The Manics were in Bristol last night, and Truro has drawn in this huge crowd from Devon and all around the west country, the Celtic fringe, all in great spirits, all looking forward to a good night. If people were smart and checked the ticket prices maybe they’d think it worth the drive down to Cornwall for tickets at £25 compared to £59 at Brighton and £65 at Southampton. Hey, good deal. We’re cheap down here.

The security guys are a nice bunch of lads, enormous, and very polite. One guy stands next to me and accidentally brushes my face with his arm; he’s so big he can’t see me down here as he scans the floor from his vantage point. I look up to see what it was that bumped me in the dark, and connect my face with his upper arm – my head doesn’t even reach his shoulder. Ridiculous. I’m not small. What on earth did his mother feed him on? He’s got to be 6ft 8ins at least. Good manners though. He’s one of those gentle giants I suppose, so I keep hoping a fight will break out, or a drunk will get mouthy, simply so that I can see him in action; silent and swift, or heavy handed and hard.

It’s a largely masculine audience. The music is purposeful, strong, loud. The band are terrific, the singing spot on, and the whole set offers a wide mix of music. Singing styles and sound are varied, with one number reminiscent of Sting and the Police, one with a bit of a Runrig feel, soulful ballads and punk blasts. It’s a great range, tightly performed with real verve. They finish off with their crowd pleasing hit single, 'A Design For Life,' and people just don’t want to leave. They hang over the stage, gazing at the roadies dismantling the set, wistful and happy. Good vibrations.

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