Manics take over NME stage headline at V2002

The Manic Street Preachers have been confirmed as the new headliners of the NME stage at this year’s V2002. After Travis had to pull out of the festival due to Neil Primrose’s back injury, former NME stage headliners The Chemical Brothers moved into the empty headline slot on the main stage alongside Stereophonics. Now The Manics will play the NME stage as they warm-up for their greatest hits tour in December. V2002 Festival Director, Bob Angus told NME.com: "We’re really pleased to have secured the performance of such a high profile headliner for the NME Stage this year. The Manic Street Preachers are one of the UK’s most important bands and top off the bill very nicely, alongside the other major Welsh rock band, Stereophonics who headline the V Stage. V2002 is all set to be the best V festival yet." Fellow director Simon Moran added: "The Manic Street Preachers headlined V99 and it’s great to welcome them back for V2002. It’s given V a bit of a Welsh theme, with both Stereophonics and the Manics, two of Wales’ biggest exports headlining stages at the festival!"