I vividly recall standing in a queue in of all places the Abertillery branch of Woolworths, the date was 10^th February 1992, and in my hands was the eagerly anticipated debut album by a band whose band members lived only moments away from my current location. That band was the Manic Street Preachers and the album was 'Generation Terrorists'.

A mere seven days later I was stood in the white hot, sweaty surroundings of the now defunct Hanging Gardens venue within Cardiff University eagerly awaiting the appearance of that same band. Twenty-five minutes later I would be exiting the building having just witnessed one fantastic, shambolic and horrifically beautiful performance and I had just discovered my new favourite band.

Which brings me back to the here and now. It may be just as hot and sweaty as that original gig but tonight the band returns to their old stomping ground at Newport Centre for a sell-out show in front of fans of all ages along with various family members (well I certainly observed Nicky's brother Patrick just behind me).

Having only played a handful of select dates to promote the fantastic Richey James Edwards penned album 'Journal Of Plague Lovers' this time around in support of 'Postcards From A Young Man' the band have decided on a playing a full scale UK tour. The type of tour not done by many bands in this current climate, as most seem to believe that the UK consists of just four cities, usually all in England.

Tonight for me personally this show felt more like a celebration of the sheer talent of the boys from Blackwood. Playing a set of twenty plus songs from every one of their albums apart from the poorly received 'Lifeblood' album along with singles 'Masses Against The Classes' and 'Suicide Is Painless.' The band bound onstage and tore straight into fan favourite 'You Love Us' causing a mass sing-along around me. It was great to see Nicky Wire back to his camp greatness in customary sparkling make up, faux leopard print coat and skinny jeans thankfully putting his 1996 'Man at C&A' look to rest.

Having such a great back catalogue it was always going to difficult to pick the perfect set list, and this was perfectly displayed by some idiot constantly crying for 'Australia', which if I'm honest is one of my least favourite Manics songs, the band themselves thankfully choosing the far greater 'Everything Must Go.' I'd also forgotten just how great tracks like 'Roses In The Hospital' and 'This Is Yesterday' are, but thanks to tonight's set list that was quickly corrected.  My single gripe with tonight's set list would have to be that I would have liked to have heard more tracks from 'Journal Of Plague Lovers', but I was more than happy to console myself with the 'Jackie Collins Existential Question Time'.

As is customary in the "no encore" proceedings of a Manic's show and so James can break proceedings up with a couple of acoustic numbers to give his vocal chords a rest, the 2000 strong audience sing along to 'You Stole The Sun From My Heart' was a wise choice indeed.

Followed closely by 'Small Black Flowers That Grow In The Sky' before the rest of the band returned, Nicky Wire now sporting a rather snazzy military number along with ac accompanying sailor hat.  The band finish proceedings with the anthemic 'Design For Life', and as I look at my watch for the first time tonight I cannot believe that the band have played a two hour set....proving I guess how great their wealth of back catalogue material really is.

You know what, Manic Street Preachers may have finally found their niche in the current musical climate, and whereas they may not be playing a string of sold out arena shows or headlining main stage festival appearances they have more than enough loyal fans who want to see the band night in night out wherever they decide to take this tour next.