Diario

So last week I managed to get a +1 to go and see the Manics do a very small private acoustic gig in the Bay View bar in Swansea! I was stood literally a metre away from the tiny stage and it was fantastic, even if I got a little bit starstruck (especially when Nicky stood next to me)! James' voice sounds even more amazing up close and both him and Nicky seemed very cheerful. They joked about how Nicky owes lots of gambling debts in Swansea and their first gig in the area with Richey. They played 5 songs acoustically - Your Love Alone, Tolerate, You Stole The Sun and Design For Life. After the show they chatted to the audience and I met Nicky and he signed his solo album for me, before thanking me for buying it! It was such a brilliant and unique opportunity to see them up close and I feel really privileged to have been there.

Sun 3 Jul – iTunes Festival - Manic Street Preachers

Had such a fun time! The crowd was a bit static due to mostly being made up of competition winners but I was at the barrier anyway so I didn't really notice. The band were fantastic as usual, I'm still amazed at how much James and Nicky jump around the stage at their age. Highlights include seeing myself filmed on the live stream, Motown Junk and the video montage at the start. When the Welsh confetti came down during Design For Life it was the perfect ending.

Thu 19 May – Manic Street Preachers, The Joy Formidable

Had the time of my life. The band kept saying about how much they loved the venue and you could tell! Fantastic setlist with some rarities. The crowd were amazing too. I wish I could say something more articulate, but words fail me. The night was made even better by getting Nicky's setlist and meeting the band after the show. I'll never forget it!

Sat 9 Apr – The Vaccines, Smith Westerns, The Caezars

I went to this gig purely on the basis of hearing 3 of The Vaccines songs and knowing that they were apparently a very good live band - it was a good sponteneous decision on my part!

The Caezars were certainly a unique band,dressed like 1950s rockabillys and pulling poses left right and centre. I really liked their traditional rock 'n' roll love songs - they really stand out in a world where loads of bands all look and sound the same. I bought their EP after the show!

The Smith Westerns looked kind of like an early 90s shoegaze band - all long fringes and baggy clothes (but they were all very beautiful may I add). The music was thankfully more inspiring,very noisy and catchy. Since the gig I've heard lots about them in the music press,so it seems like they are going on to big things.

Finally The Vaccines took to the stage after what seemed like forever! The crowd went completely mad,especially when playing the opening notes of Wreckin Bar and If You Wanna. Going for quality over quantity is The Vaccines aim,and so the set only lasted 45 minutes,but it was so full of energy and happiness I couldn't complain at all. The band are clearly having the time of their lives enjoying their recent success and giving everything they've got. A personal highlight was getting eye contact with Justin the lead singer and Freddie the guitarist as I was standing at the barrier!

I would definitely recommend anyone to go and see them - probably the most exciting new band out there today that I can think of.