Grand Hall - Cardiff 12/05/07

There is still an un-repented desire to be the "useless sluts" that the Manics sings in Little Baby Nothing, among the ranks of their fans waiting outside Cardiff University and the colourful crowd, albeit older than the majority f gig goers, still puts up a confident display of devotions and obsession. But after all, that's what makes the Manics amazing and able to bridge the gap between 44 years old and 14 years old: They are unashamed of getting old disgracefully.

After several years and two albums marked by what can only be called mediocrity, the Manics are back on form with their new album Send away the Tigers and the audience is treated to a gig that is stripped down bare but it's pulsing with the old rage and intelligent banter that had made them famous.

Opening with You love us it's a clear statement to the fact that the vitriol, albeit a bit less scourging, it's still there and James Dean Bradfield's voice is able to transform maturity into beauty.

The set list has a perfect balance of old and new, but, it has to be said , the classics are what makes the crowd cheer the loudest, Motorcycle Emptiness being, now and forever, an hymn to a desperate, but still fighting humanity.

Unlike recent, almost in your face, tribute to Richey Edwards, the unforgettable Manics' lyricist, is given homage in a graceful, subtle way and the strength of his lyrics are his legacy.

The acoustic set gives Nicky Wire the time to change into a pink and white mini skirt and gives the audience the opportunity to truly experience the beauty of Bradfield's vocals and his raw rendition of Yes is one of the most powerful things of the night, leaving some old school, hard core fans with bright, teary eyes.

The ending is seared by A design for life, but the true lines that really summarize what the Manics were and, luckily still are, rings like this: "It was no surface but all feelings…"

And thank God for that.

words by Laila and thanks again to James Perou for the photograph