The Manic Street Preachers commenced their highly anticipated 2025 UK tour, ‘Critical Thinking’, with a lively performance at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow on April 11. The band will hold an additional show at the same venue tonight before continuing to major cities including London, Wolverhampton, Bristol, Manchester, and Swansea.

Tour Lineup Changes

In a recent announcement, the band informed fans that their long-standing touring keyboardist, Nick Nasmyth, would not be participating in this tour due to personal circumstances. Replacing him will be the band’s esteemed friend and producer, Dave Eringa, who has had a longstanding relationship with the group, dating back to their debut single, ‘Motown Junk’ in 1993.

Setlist Highlights

Kicking off the tour with the opening track ‘Decline and Fall’ from their latest album, ‘Critical Thinking’, the setlist included a mix of new material and fan-favorite classics. Noteworthy performances included:

• ‘Decline & Fall’
• ‘Enola/Alone’
• ‘La tristesse durera (Scream to a Sigh)’
• ‘Brushstrokes of Reunion’
• ‘If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next’

The concert featured an acoustic segment with tracks like ‘This Sullen Welsh Heart’ and ‘Small Black Flowers That Grow in the Sky’, showcasing the band’s diverse musical range.

Continuing the Tour

The ‘Critical Thinking’ tour is set to continue until May 10, 2025, covering several more cities. Upcoming dates include:

• April 12 – Glasgow Barrowland
• April 18-19 – London O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
• April 25 – Wolverhampton The Civic at the Halls
• April 26 – Bristol Beacon
• May 2-3 – Manchester O2 Apollo
• May 9-10 – Swansea Arena

Beyond these dates, the band will also perform at various festivals this summer, including the Bearded Theory Festival in Derbyshire.

Critical Reception and Future Insights

The band’s latest album, ‘Critical Thinking’, has garnered positive feedback, including a four-star review from NME, which described it as having a blend of modernist influences and pop sensibilities. The review emphasized its emotional depth and sonic richness.

Bassist and lyricist Nicky Wire remarked on the album’s uniqueness compared to previous works, indicating a thoughtful approach to songwriting amidst personal reflections. “Albums are a reflection of where your mind is at – certainly in the Manics’ world,” he explained, adding that the creative process is ongoing as they look toward future projects.