The long awaited Manics homecoming gig took over St David's Hall in Cardiff yesterday. The gig, part of Carling's homecoming series, saw the Manic Street Preachers revisit the 800 capacity venue outside which they used to busk as teenagers, and where band members saw their first concerts.
"Busking outside was pretty tough and on a good day we'd make enough to get a train home," Nicky Wire told reporters before the gig. "I'd advise people to busk on rugby or football international days. People are generally drunk and give you more than they otherwise would. We used to get pound coins instead of five pence pieces because people were confused."
Talking about playing such an intimate space in his home town he continued: "After playing the Millennium Stadium, St David's all is quite intimate for us really. Most of the set will be acoustic - and we'll be sat down on stools although I really prefer jumping about."