Manic Street Preachers The Olympia, Dublin

Speaking to the Irish Examiner several years ago, Manic Street Preachers bassist Nicky Wire confessed that, over time, it became ever harder to maintain one’s enthusiasm for music.

“You need to find different ‘angles’ for being in a band,” he said. “You need to find ways to keep it interesting.” In their quest to do this they have cycled through many incarnations in their 25 year career – several of which were on show at this sell-out concert.

They delight the attendance by opening with ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’, their first hit single from 1992. From their most successful album, 1998’s This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours, they play five tracks, including the lilting ‘You Stole The Sun From My Heart’ and ‘If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next’, surely the only worldwide number one inspired by the Spanish Civil War.