Manic Street Preachers announced they are set to tour their 1994 album The Holy Bible, playing it live and in full for the first time in nearly two decades.
So far, four cities have been named on the band’s tour, Glasgow, Manchester, London and yes Manic fans, Dublin.
The gigs are all to take place in December, starting at the Barrowland in Glasgow on Monday 8th December 2014, followed by two nights at Manchester’s Albert Hall on the 10th and 11th, one night at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on Saturday 13th and then three nights at the Roundhouse in London on the 15th, 16th and 17th.
During the summer, speaking to NME, Manic’s singer James Dean Bradfield and bassist Nicky Wire, talked in depth about the writing and recording of The Holy Bible, as well as its lasting influence. They also commented on the disappearance of their former band member, guitarist Richey Edwards.
Wire talked about the possibility of playing the ’94 LP at live shows, “If we were to do it – and it is a big if – there would be a kind of symmetry,” he says. “I’d like to look at doing something like the three Astorias [referring to the band’s previous 1994 gigs at the London venue]. I’d like to do an American tour of it because we never took it to America and Japan. Obviously Richey disappeared so it would be drawing a line under that as well.”
The Holy Bible was the third studio album by the Welsh rockers. At the time the album was written, lyricist and guitarist Richey Edwards was struggling with severe depression. The album’s lyrics are considered by many to reflect his deteriorating mental state. The Holy Bible was the last of the band’s albums released before Edwards’ disappearance on 1 February 1995.
In an interview with Digital Spy, Wire said, “maybe we should for once, stop being so f**king principled and make loads of money and play it! Try and get a hologram of Richey, or something, like Tupac!”
A spokesman added: “A 20th anniversary edition of ‘The Holy Bible’ will be released later this year with further details to follow.”
Manic Street Preachers tour dates:
Glasgow Barrowland – Dec 8
Manchester Albert Hall – Dec 10, 11
Dublin Olympia Theatre – Dec 13
London Roundhouse – Dec 15, 16, 17
