The Manic Street Preachers have enjoyed the continuing success that the likes of new-UK bands such as the Kaiser Chiefs could only dream of sustaining.

Playing to an admittedly ageing crowd (well, ageing in the sense that the average age was 35) in Brixton on a chilly London mid-week night, the band still manages to sell out concerts like the band are never going to go out of style.

Of course, the Manic Street Preachers are renowned for being as political as they are successful.  However, at their first London performance on their latest tour, the only sign of the Manic Street Preachers being political was that of a Welsh flag draped on an amplifier on the left of the band.

The Manic Street Preacher's stage setup was overwhelmingly understated, ensuring that the audience was focused entirely on the music.  This particular member of the audience confesses to being a little green in terms of knowledge of the band, and the only personal sing-along was to "If You Tolerate This Then Your Children Will Be Next", and only the chorus at that.  However, notwithstanding my own stark ignorance, the whole audience sung along to most of the tunes with utmost gusto.  Stand out tunes on the night, apart from the aforementioned, were "Everything Must Go", "Oceans Spray", "Forever Young", "1985" and "This Is Yesterday".  Manic Street Preachers are not afraid to enjoy themselves, with band-members joking, jumping, skipping and swearing their way around stage.

There is no doubt that the Manic Street Preachers are now vying for an older audience from their earlier days, reflected in the average age of the audience.  However, like the Manic Street Preachers themselves, the audience still looks determined to have fun, especially in the post-Blair days.  The Manic Street Preachers put on a first-rate concert, and every member of the audience left the show buzzing.