# Manic Street Preachers and Suede Unite for London Co-Headline Show The iconic bands perform at The O2, blending nostalgic tributes with future-focused material. - **Source:** [NME](https://www.nme.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/954fada2-bf78-4046-bad1-17a256e4beaf ## London Co-Headline Showcase Manic Street Preachers and Suede brought their collaborative UK tour to London’s The O2 on November 6, 2026. The event featured alternating setlists, allowing both legendary bands to showcase their distinct catalogs. This performance continues a partnership that first began in 1994 and recently expanded through North American and UK tours. ## Honouring Richey Edwards The Manic Street Preachers dedicated significant portions of their set to former lyricist Richey Edwards. Bassist Nicky Wire highlighted the emotional weight of their history, performing tracks like 'Little Baby Nothing' and 'Die In The Summertime'. The band emphasized their enduring bond, stating that despite being a trio, they remain four. ## Manics' Retrospective Performance Opening with 'Motorcycle Emptiness', the Manics leaned into their 1990s hits while teasing an upcoming 35th-anniversary celebration for their debut album. James Dean Bradfield engaged the audience by letting them choose between two Edwards-penned lyrics for an acoustic segment. The set concluded with their chart-topping anthem 'If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next'. ## Suede’s Forward-Looking Energy Frontman Brett Anderson brought high-energy acrobatics to the stage, performing hits like 'Trash' and 'Animal Nitrate'. Despite the nostalgia, the band focused on the future, debuting the new track 'Tribe'. Anderson described the song as a dedication to their fans, framing it within the context of their upcoming, third-part punk trilogy record. ## Defining the New Era Anderson explained that their next album explores themes of tribes and belonging, following the 'punk' and 'post-punk' styles of previous records. He noted that while they use genre labels as a broad brush for messaging, the music remains deeply personal. The band continues to balance their classic sound with evolving creative ambitions. ## Shared Musical DNA The collaboration between these two acts is rooted in a long-standing mutual respect. Frontmen have previously noted that their fanbases 'tessellate' well, creating a cohesive live experience. This tour avoids being a simple Britpop revival, instead positioning both groups as active, evolving artists who occupy similar but distinct musical territories today. ## Studio Progress and Future The Manic Street Preachers are currently working on their 16th studio album, featuring tracks like 'Threshold' and 'Recrudescence'. Nicky Wire acknowledged the challenge of maintaining inspiration after such a long career, yet the band remains prolific. They are currently focused on finding a cohesive narrative thread to unite their latest batch of songs. ## Touring Legacy and Impact This co-headline tour serves as a testament to the longevity of 90s alternative rock icons. By alternating stage time and blending deep cuts with new material, the bands maintain relevance for both long-term fans and new listeners. The tour continues through Birmingham, Nottingham, and Bournemouth, marking a significant moment in their shared history. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.nme.com/news/music/manic-street-preachers-suede-o2-london-co-headline-show-setlist-photos-footage-3975347?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=manic-street-preachers-suede-o2-london-co-headline-show-setlist-photos-footage — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._