MANIC STREET PREACHERS HEADLINE HISTORIC 150th TEENAGE CANCER TRUST SHOW

On Thursday evening, Manic Street Preachers put in a fittingly barnstorming performance for the 150th show in the legendary Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall series – at the invitation of guest curator Robert Smith.

Manic Street Preachers stormed the stage with a blazing ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’ for an ecstatic crowd. The set featured songs from throughout their career, from fan favourites such as ‘Roses In The Hospital’ to major hits like ‘You Stole The Sun From My Heart’. A cover of The Cure’s ‘Close To Me’ was embraced by a crowd packed with Robert Smith’s fans. A singalong of ‘La Tristesse Durera’ followed. A melancholic treat came in the form of ‘This Is Yesterday’ from The Holy Bible.

Another surprise treat was an excerpt of Echo and the Bunnymen’s ‘Bring On the Dancing Horses’ before Lana McDonagh joined the band for ‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ from last year’s Critical Thinking. A soaring ‘Design For Life’ was dedicated to producer Mike Hedges, who was in the audience. Other highlights included the shining pop of ‘Your Love Alone Is Not Enough’ and a sublime cover of The The’s ‘This Is The Day’. ‘My Little Empire’ and ‘You Love Us’, dedicated to Richey Edwards followed, before a finale of the number one single ‘If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next’.

Manic Street Preachers (credit: John Stead)

The set was live streamed via Player Plus and can still be watched for 24 hours afterwards, with all profits going to Teenage Cancer Trust.

Garbage’s headline set this Saturday can also be purchased via www.WatchTeenageCancerTrust.com

Teenage Cancer Trust Interim Chief Executive Jules Worrall celebrated the 150-show landmark, saying:

“The impact of these shows has been enormous. Because of everyone who has been involved – from the artists who give their time to free to the gig-goers who buy a ticket and everyone in-between – we have been able to change the lives of young people with cancer for the better. The incredible £36 million raised has allowed us to provide specialist nursing care, expert youth support and age-appropriate environments to thousands of young people with cancer – and to work to change the system that isn’t designed with their needs in mind.

“I’m sure there are people who would have loved to have been at this show tonight, but who instead are dealing with the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis at a critical time in their lives. Yet cancer care wasn’t made for young people. Their experience is very different to that of children and older adults, and too often they fall through the cracks when it comes to everything from diagnosis and mental health support to access to clinical trials. But we’re here to make sure every young person has the treatment, care and support they need.

“We can’t do it alone, and that’s why this 150th show is such a milestone. A huge thank you to everyone who has been a part of it, and especially to our legendary Honorary Patron Sir Roger Daltrey, and to this year’s ‘Cureator’, Robert Smith. Here’s to 150 more!”

The Joy Formidable opened the celebration of Welsh rock with hits including ‘Whirring’ and ‘The Greatest Light is the Greatest Shade’.

Singer Ritzy said: “Thank you for having us. What a special space, sweet audience, big, beautiful acoustics. Forever grateful to Robert for the invite and for everyone at the Teenage Cancer Trust for a magical night.”

The evening was compered by Radio X DJ John Kennedy, who said:

“I was absolutely honoured to be asked by Robert Smith to compete tonight’s Manic Street Preachers show. He’s an all time hero of mine. I’ve been lucky enough to interview him a few times, and so it was amazing to be asked – and for such an incredible lineup, not only national treasures the Manic Street Preachers, an all time favourite band, but fellow Welsh wonders The Joy Formidable. It is an incredible lineup.”