01/04/2014 - Manchester O2 Apollo

[sbs]

Absolutely fantastic. I was hoarse when I came out, I don't think I've ever sung so loud.

And I cried during Rewind the Film. That film was just so evocative.

[wireobsessed]

Absolutely brilliant night. Loved every minute of it. The set list was fantastic and so many surprises, DITS, SB, AOP, James and 3 acoustic songs, Nicky looking much happier and singing along to so many tracks and Sean as usual just brilliant. The crowd where we were were amazing and everyone was singing every word, it was so loud at times I could hear them more than James
There was a girl in front of us who hadn't seen the Manics before and she was loving it and just grinning away. The atmosphere all night was just fantastic, so glad so many people loved it. Have to admit it's possibly my favourite Manics gig along with last years Ritz. If they'd played PCP I think I'd have died happy!
Still knackered from last night but very, very happy and the Manchester crowd really showed up Cardiff; just no comparison for getting involved and singing every word. Loved the new tracks esp Futurology and really looking forward to the album now. Thought Nick looked gorgeous last night and his tribute to James and Richey was so lovely. It was my last gig of the tour but I'm so happy it'll keep me going til when they tour again.

[lord of waz]

Originally Posted by Manic Street Mike

Nah I saw those tossers. They weren't euphoric, they were just fucked.

Each to their own,eh?As long as they were having a good time,that's what counts.

[Abstract Unknown Girl]

Ah Manchester did it again...best date of the tour for me so far by a long way! I think over the past three tours, the Manchester date has ended up being the stand-out, so unless Wolves surpasses it on Sunday (which is possible to be fair, as the band love that venue), I think it will top this tour too.

I don't know what it is about Manchester gigs, but there always seems to be a huge amount of enthusiasm for the Manics. The queue was waaaay bigger than at Leeds or Leicester by the afternoon, but we still made the barrier so I was happy.

Right from the first song the crowd seemed up for it (yes even for Show Me The Wonder...those sat reading through the thread last night who weren't at the gig may mock that as an opener, but people were enjoying it and at least it was something different to the previous dates on this tour). I had a feeling they were saving Die in the Summertime for Manchester, after Nicky tweeted the lyrics the other day, so I was made up they played that. I have heard it live before, but not for a long time. I didn't think we'd get Archives as well either, so was happy to see that had stayed. The triple acoustic session was a real treat too (presumably to give Nicky a bit more resting time...although he seemed happier and livelier than Leicester, which is a good sign and I'm sure he'll soldier on through the Scottish gigs after a day off). It's been a while since I've heard This is Yesterday and the crowd were SO much more responsive and louder for FDTW (and did the high notes properly) than Leicester. This Sullen Welsh Heart nearly made me cry too.

For the first time on the tour I could actually hear Futurology properly as well. I don't know what it was about the sound at the other gigs, but I could barely hear Nicky's vocals and was having a hard time picking out the melody, but the Apollo's excellent acoustics came through again (the sound always seems so much better to me in this venue than anywhere else) and although I still much prefer Europa out of the two new songs, Futurology sounded much better last night. I cannot wait to own the studio version of Europa; I want to listen to it on repeat and stomp around to it. I keep getting it stuck in my head, which is definitely a sign of a good song as far as I'm concerned.

I could personally do without It's Not War at every single gig, but it dawned on me on this tour how much the band seem to enjoy playing it, so hey ho, if they get pleasure out of it and to be fair it gets a good crowd response, there's plenty of other songs to get excited about instead. I usually end up taking a few photos during it anyway.

So glad I have today off work, as two gigs on consecutive nights has done me in! I am officially old. I'll post some photos later, although don't think I took that many as I was too busy enjoying myself. Also hope James keeps up with the different shirt colours every night...so far I've had red, purple and white on the dates I've done. Don't let me down in Wolves!

[Manic Street Mike]

Originally Posted by lord of waz

Each to their own,eh?As long as they were having a good time,that's what counts.

I'd agree but it wasn't harmless. One guy shoved his way to the front and faced the audience jumping up and flailing arms everywhere. Nearly knocked seven bells out of this girl. She elbowed him and to be fair security told him to stop. He ended up getting pulled back into the crowd by people who were pissed off with him.

Another guy who was evidently fucked pushed his way to the front, shoving my friends who aren't tall out of the way. He did seem concerned though when she told him she couldn't see and he did shift so fair play there.

[burnleybassman]

Decent review of last nights show from the MEN:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....hester-6905635

[eric_c]

seems like the fella who wrote it was a fan and that helps

usually the music reviews in the MEN are atrocious!

[lord of waz]

Originally Posted by Manic Street Mike

I'd agree but it wasn't harmless. One guy shoved his way to the front and faced the audience jumping up and flailing arms everywhere. Nearly knocked seven bells out of this girl. She elbowed him and to be fair security told him to stop. He ended up getting pulled back into the crowd by people who were pissed off with him.

Another guy who was evidently fucked pushed his way to the front, shoving my friends who aren't tall out of the way. He did seem concerned though when she told him she couldn't see and he did shift so fair play there.

Fair enough.

[Manic Street Mike]

Anyone else reckon the video for Europa was a bit knackered? Seemed jumpy. Technical difficulties.

[Abstract Unknown Girl]

Photos (I did try take more of Nicky/Sean, but they didn't come out well, so you'll have to have lots of James instead):

[Abstract Unknown Girl]

[Scarecrow]

Yep, last night was my favourite so far, loved it. From Despair to Where, Europa and Die in't Summertime were excellent. Good crowd.

[relic]

Originally Posted by eric_c

seems like the fella who wrote it was a fan and that helps

The fella who wrote it is a lass.

[trademark]

have they got any new merchandise on sale at the gigs,new t shirts etc.
going on friday,barrowland,canny wait.

[hummingbird]

Originally Posted by Manic Street Mike

I'd agree but it wasn't harmless. One guy shoved his way to the front and faced the audience jumping up and flailing arms everywhere. Nearly knocked seven bells out of this girl. She elbowed him and to be fair security told him to stop. He ended up getting pulled back into the crowd by people who were pissed off with him.

Another guy who was evidently fucked pushed his way to the front, shoving my friends who aren't tall out of the way. He did seem concerned though when she told him she couldn't see and he did shift so fair play there.

that's the kind of eejit behaviour i was referring to in the cardiff thread that had maybe upset those girls but i don't think my point came accross. (Again i didn't see it) It's just selfish behaviour and can ruin gigs for people. Short people have as much right down the front as anyone else. I was watching the crowd go in while waiting for my friend and from the looks of some of them I thought it might get a bit lively

I was pretty happy..strolled in at 8:40 and ended up 5th row to the left of James without any trouble. Even joined in the pogo-ing for some songs. Still utterly thrilled they played DITS

Should've gone to manic street mania. My hotel was right by a student halls and they decided to blast music from about 1 am to 3. If they were songs I didnt know i could've filtered it out but unfortunately they were…coldplay was one Almost missed my train this morning i got up so late!

Was there any band botherage after?