Live Review: Manic Street Preachers, Hungry Kids Of Hungary

It's hard to tell whether one is at an international rugby match or a rock concert tonight at Festival Hall, as Lions shirts vie for dominance over Manic Street Preachers merchandise and Welsh flags. Although a bit of a sausage sizzle, the mood of the audience is light and the broad demographic of those present means this looks to be a concert for true fans of the band, many keen to follow this gig with tomorrow's Wallabies/Lions clash at Etihad stadium.

Dotted about the large stage, Hungry Kids Of Hungary prove an ideal and classy opening act, pumping out their cheerful, poppy tunes to a patient, eager audience. As the sound crew iron out the bass-heavy mix, drummer Ryan Strathie's hard-hitting style jumps out of the PA, giving the band's mellower numbers added oomph. When Yesterday's Gone, from second album, You're A Shadow, sees the band hit their stride, whimsical introspection and falsetto harmonies the order of the day. Grateful and well received, the boys leave the stage giving thanks to the crowd for listening and to the headliners for allowing them to warm up the stage.

The lights dim as David Bowie's sleazy Speed Of Life fills the hall, along with clamouring from the ex-pat crowd anticipating their musical heroes' arrival. The crowd erupts when Manic Street Preachers take to the stage, singer/guitarist James Dean Bradfield donning a white Gibson Les Paul that he proceeds to put to work on the uplifting Motorcycle Emptiness. Bradfield takes time out to pay homage to his “Australian cousins, sisters and brothers” before launching into You Stole The Sun From My Heart, the crowd lapping it up. Bass player Nicky Wire is all smiles, rockstar sunglasses and glittered face as he parades the stage with a low-slung Gibson. At one point, a feather boa is hurled onto the stage, which he immediately adds to the hefty collection adorning his microphone stand. Ocean Spray and the fitting-yet-bittersweet Australia are both performed perfectly. Suicide Is Painless has everyone singing the tune to MASH before show highlight, Design For Life, sees the band firing on all cylinders, the crowd belting out the lyrics at the top of their voices.

A mini solo acoustic set featuring Frankie Valli's Can't Take My Eyes Off You has the audience arm in arm before surprise guest and British and Irish Lions rugby star, Jamie Roberts, is welcomed to the stage. Handling backup guitar responsibilities for You Love Us, Roberts is greeted by a chanting, enamoured crowd. As the 90-minute set comes to a close, the ever-graceful Bradfield thanks all in attendance before playing the late-'90s Australian hit, If You Tolerate This, Then Your Children Will Be Next, taken from the LP, This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours.

Although die-hards would consider this a short gig considering the amount of material in the Manic Street Preachers back catalogue, none complain. As the warmed-up throng files out of Festival Hall, Saturday's rugby match now weighs on their minds.