Manic Street Preachers celebrate their twentieth anniversary of Brit Award winning Best Album (1997) Everything Must Go this May.
Twenty years? For me it only seems only months ago since they opened with A Design for Life, the crowd behind me shouting ‘Surge!’ as waves of us were forced ever closer to the stage in a near crush. No wonder they were celebrated as both Best Group and Best Album in 1997. Today they are still up there with true rock greats.
Six dates celebrate Everything Must Go launching in Liverpool’s Echo Arena on May 13th ending in Swansea’s Liberty Stadium on the 28th with an extended show. The Manics take in Birmingham, London, Leeds and Glasgow on their way home to Wales. Each gig is supported by Editors except Swansea who are reinforced by Super Furry Animals and Public Service Broadcasting.
When celebrating specific albums expect a dual set list featuring a good number of Everything Must Go anthems alongside their huge portfolio of classics of twenty-four years since their debut album Generation Terrorists in 1992.
So why this album? Everything Must Go has timeless anthems which boosted the band’s wider commercialism and popularity. Songs such as: A design for Life, Kevin Carter, Everything Must Go, Australia, all have that animated energy that forces crowds in the pit to shout ‘Surge!’ These sounds are still captivating and catchy today.
Everything Must Go is a post-Richey James album. Their previous album to this The Holy Bible (1994) contained that risky, bleak, dark edge; very popular with hard-hitting Manics fans and is very much viewed as a landmark album. After Richey (lyricist and guitarist) was declared missing in 1995 The Holy Bible strengthened its roots and wasn’t about to budge – a new beginning was nigh.
The definition of alternative/indie changes every year. Everything Must Go is in a category of its own. A timeless work of art worth celebrating. Expect The Manic Street Preachers to create memories extending another twenty years.
