Manic Street Preachers @ Webster Hall: Manic on the Streets

As lead singer James Bradford declared on the onset of tonight's show, "This is our first show in ten years." Later on, he yelled, "Ten years! Why did we wait so long?" Yeah, brother. Why did you wait so long? Have a talk with your managers.

The U.K. power house band Manic Street Preachers did make their first New York appearance since the Clinton administration. The night was for die hard fans, mostly ex-pat Brits wanting to hear the band that has arena-sized popularity overseas. As I was making my way upstairs at Webster Hall, I heard a bunch of ladies saying excitedly, "I can't believe I'm seeing them in a small place." It wasn't even sold out.

I got to preface this post and write that I am not well-versed in the Manic Street Preachers catalog. I think there's a need for me to know and at least see all U.K. bands that come here in order to fulfill my anglophile needs. I own The Holy Bible, This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours and Everything Must Go and know about the legend of Richey James Edwards. I think I went tonight in hopes that he would show up in an Eddie & the Cruisers moment. That didn't happen.

So the night for me had some enjoyment, although I didn't recognize much of the songs beyond If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next, You Stole The Sun From My Heart and Motorcycle Emptiness. The crowd did go nuts through all of the songs and shouted along to the choruses. I did like how they played about 10 uptempo songs in a row. Usually bands settled into their soft songs after a handful of rocking tunes, but the Preachers kept things vibrant for a good 45 minutes before James went acoustic for a couple of tunes. I really have no complaints on the band for the night. Webster Hall, on the other hand, still does a fine job of screwing up your night. Please, dammit, stop with the guy walking through the crowd selling cans of beer. This isn't Yankee Stadium.

Why aren't M.S.P. a big draw on the level of Muse? The Preachers certainly have big crowd pleasing songs and everything they do seems to be larger than life and important. My theory -- and you're not going to like this fans -- is that if the lead singer looked like Simon Le Bon or Matt Bellamy, then they would be on the level of popularity a Keane. Let's face it, it's a lookism society and James is a nondescript lead singer with a slightly above-average voice.

The music might have something to do with their lack of draw in the states. They kind of lack that big hit mainstream song that make bands here in the U.S. For me, the reason I'm not super-fan is that the music is a little formulaic -- the choruses all have a stadium anthem quality. You'll hear the same style in their core albums post-Edwards. Maybe I was a real-British person and not some fake wannabe Brit then I would be attached to the music. None the less, they have a two decade long career in the U.K., so they don't need our stamp of approval to continue making albums.

Comments

[Snitty]

Dude..check my website..goaway.com..you just don't get it...BTW..his name is JAMES DEAN BRADFIELD!..I'm from Texas dumbass..not hardly a "Brit Wannabe"..go Twins or any team that plays ANY Ny Team..Muse..pftt..I'm going to stop now because it's not worth my time to even submit this

[Nameisrequiredmyass]

What the fuck are you the same writer who wrote the Avalon review????? WHY IS EVERYONE SAYING JAMES' LAST NAME IS BRADFORD IT IS FUCKING BRADFIELD! DO YOUR MOTHER FUCKING RESEARCH! Do not mess with Manic Street Preachers fans or else we will attack. Have a nice day mother fucking dumbass.

[Laura]

Wow, this is the worst writing I have seen in a long time. I'm not even saying that as a Manics fan (which I am) but as someone who enjoys reading well written articles.

Try again.

[dick_turpentine]

"I got to preference this post and write that I am not well-versed in the Manic Street Preachers catalog"

Bravo. Seriously, an average 15 year old writes better than this.

[Guney]

i was there and it was an amazing concert last night. and they absolutely don't need your stamp of approval to continue making albums.

[Neil]

You lost me as soon as you got James's name wrong.
And why on earth would Jmes want to look like Simon?
The manics have always been, still are and will always be relevant because they stay true to themselves and are well aware of who they are and why they are here.

[Julie]

As a non-obsessed Manics fan, I'm not going to shout abuse at you. I have to say prior to last night, I never really thought James had the best voice. But after seeing him sing The Everlasting I think when you take away the electronic static and crunching of electric guitars he has a really fabulous voice. But I think you are right that they are less popular in the US because he isn't some pretty boy. He's such a teddy bear though! I wanted to hug him and be like "you rock!" But that's just me. ;) I would rather see them in non large spaces anyways so they can stay less popular.

[marie]

This paper is the dumbest thing I've read in my life. To start, you should know that the name of James is James Bradfield, and it shows how much you know about the band. The Manics are a great band with great songs, I do not care who are not successful in USA.

[Marilyn Roxie]

The 'Bradford' thing is continuing to perturb me greatly, it is 'Bradfield'! :P

[A Real MSP Fan]

I love this band but had to leave about half-way through the show because of the obnoxious fans. Who slam dances at a Manic Street Preachers show, for god's sake? And why do some fans feel compelled to scream along with every song, and prance around flailing their arms like THEY are the main attraction. The band was great. The fans were horrid, faux Brit poseurs.

[Chris from Berkshire]

Ok. I'm glad "A Real MSP Fan" made that comment because it goes to the heart of what is wrong with the New York music experience. Who doesn't go to a gig and sing along to every song if they know the words? And why do the American "fans" insist on watching amazing live music with their arms folded? It is just unnatural. Come to any British festival or the Hammersmith Apollo and discover how to really live a show. I was the one jumping around if you want to know and had a wicked time. Plus I am really British, from Ascot, Berkshire and I've actually been to Wales!

[A Real MSP Fan]

I'm glad you had a "wicked" time, Chris. But your constant elbowing me in the face and your waving your beer around to the music ruined my time. But I guess YOU are more important than anyone else, Chris. I'm glad you can have so much fun all by yourself, Chris. Because your lack of empathy probably means you are going to spend a LOT of time all by yourself in this life.

[Chris from Berkshire]

Having passed the comments of "A Real MSP Fan" round the office, to fits of laughter, here was the general consensus:

"That's total nonsense - how can you empathise with someone that claims to have had to have left because of something like this? Chris Chris Chris, I hope HE had fun listening to the MSP at home, just to be hoped HE didn't have it turned up too loud, in his hissy-fit of rage, the last thing HE would want was to disturb his neighbours/fellow comrades in the monastery?"

[marco]

Bullshit review.

[Gutteerdandy]

Hey dude, James Dean Bradfield has a GREAT voice. Are you kidding me?

[Irradiata]

Wow, the reviewer is a hard nut to crack. The Manics are awesome live, James Dean Bradfield has an amazing voice, has more charisma in his pinky than Simon Le Bon, and is intelligent enough to get the right name of the person he's talking to.

Unless the lead singer of Bear Hands is named James Bradford. Then I completely agree.

[José]

Chris from Berkshire...
In defense of my Great Friend Chris, the real Brit...He has a terrific personality, he's incredibly fun to be with and has so much charisma he can charm anyone that speaks either english, french or spanish!
Next time, stay at home and trust me Chris may end up in many ways, but alone just isn't one of them...

P.S if you're below 30 years old, then please consider going to therapy, I can't possible imagine how more annoying you might get in the future...

a huevo wey! :D

[Rick]

I'm one of the few American fans of this band. And I never understood why they're not absolutey huge over here. We love big rock anthems with soaring choruses. And they're the best in the world at that. James Dean Bradfield has a great voice, one of the best rock voices around. I can't even believe that's open for discussion.

Know what would break them over here? If somebody sang A Design For Life on American Idol. Anybody have Simon Cowell's phone number?

[Brad]

All I know is I'm an Aussie and this was my first night in NY and was so glad to see the Manics and they were Awesome! James is not only a great singer but a great guitarist as well. Great Night!

[Mark in Melbourne]

And all I know is that as a Brooklyner (post code 11215 '98-'07) now living in Australia I have wanted to see this band live ever since they played Bowery Ballroom way back in '99 or '00 and missed them then. Once again I am so disappointed to miss them. MSP are simply a great band and Bradfield IS without a doubt a very talented singer (can fit a million words into the catchiest melodies ever and singer pretty frigging high) and ripping guitarist. Their new album is awesome! MSP: Please come to Australia on this tour!!