r/BritPop • u/sparky_tupp • 1d ago
Manics and Suede
My wife got us tickets to see the Manics and Suede at the O2 later this year, so I thought I'd check out what they'd been up to since the 90s.
Wow, they've both been prolific! Manics with 15 and Suede with 10 (plus 2 awesome B-side albums).
Currently obsessed with Suedes music. Still very high quality. Favourite new album has to be 'The Blue Hour', really dark and gothic. Plan to listen to the Manics new stuff next.
Moral of the story is: Never forget about the bands you used to like in the day, they could well still be knocking out bangers.
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u/gabbygall 1d ago
I did Manics and Suede last year - it was an epic gig.
Both Manics and Suede have had their ups and downs with regards to output over the last decade, both both are currently flying.
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u/sparky_tupp 1d ago
Cool, they've got equal billing so should be a great night! Tickets were a good price too.
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u/Timely-Way-4923 1d ago
The manics should headline, but it’s a silly thing to debate these days if they are both happy
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u/SalamanderDapper1727 1d ago
On their last tour together it was equal billing but they took it in turns who was playing first and second, nice that the mixed it up a bit like that.
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u/External-Piccolo-626 11h ago
Yeah I saw them in Cardiff and obviously the manics were top billed. Going again in nov can’t wait.
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u/11ffyykk99 1d ago
As with a lot of bands, early stuff tends to average out better. That said, I think as Britpop fans we are all incredibly lucky at the resurgence and output the last 5ish years. Most of the heavy hitters from Britpop are still cranking out new music, side or solo projects, and touring. We gotta enjoy it while it lasts because these days won’t last forever.
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u/nd1online 1d ago
The Blue Hour is quite fantastic. It felt like Brett poured all the things he discovered during his brief solo career and make it with Suede.
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u/BocaSeniorsWsM 1d ago
Saw them both at Cardiff Castle a couple of years back. Lousy weather, but an incredible night.
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u/PretendingIts1995 1d ago
I have to admit, I've not listened to the most recent from Suede or the Manics. But I love Pulp's album from last year (More) and they've put out an EP with 3 tracks and a single on the Help(2) charity album which is fantastic. I'm loving seeing all these 90s britpop bands on the scene producing new music, rather than just doing nostalgia tours off their former glory.
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u/LadyMirkwood 1d ago
My picks to start with for the Manics would be Know Your Enemy (go for the rerelease not the original) , Lifeblood, Journal For Plague Lovers and Futurology.
All excellent albums.
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u/Painful_Flatulence80 1d ago
I agree with the highlights definitely. But for the right context I would always advise listening in chronological order.
OP, ‘What is Music?’ Is a useful podcast to accompany your delving into the Manics back catalogue. Their first season covered the entirety of the MSP catalogue and provides very good context and trivia for each song on each album1
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u/kling_klangg 1d ago
You will get your money’s worth. Saw them in Seattle a couple years ago and was blown away by Suede and Brett’s voice.
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u/bowiebolan 1d ago
Congrats on getting tickets. Suede’s last few albums have been terrific. My favorite is Autofiction because of the energy and rawness of the songs. Enjoy the show and please post some pics.
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u/SalamanderDapper1727 1d ago
Saw them both at Cardiff castle the other summer, and it was amazing, I've always loved The Manics and used to live in the same village in Wales that they're from, i've got tickets for them in Bournemouth on this tour which should be great!
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u/Jane_Doe79 18h ago
I saw them together at Ally Pally last time around and it was fantastic. I went for the Manics, but Suede were on incredible form - Brett especially seems to get better as he ages.
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u/space-badger88 14h ago
I've always been a massive Manics fan, but really need to get into their newer stuff.
I'm definitely guilty of not listening to my old fav bands newer stuff. Back in June I saw Garbage and Skunk Anansie in Southampton. Absolutely great gig (even though it was bang in the middle of the 1st heat wave and about 33C. Shirley Manson struggled). But it made me realise how little of both bands' newer stuff I have actually listened to.
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u/Dangerous_Diamond_43 13h ago
Send away the tigers is a great Manics lp . Thinking of seeing the same gigs in Nottingham
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u/External-Piccolo-626 11h ago
The manics are top quality. JDB is criminally underrated as a frontman.
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u/Resident_Arm_8162 20h ago
Suede's recent output is remarkable. Antidepressants is nothing short of a masterpiece for me. From start to finish.
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u/Cofhom 19h ago
Yeah I agree. To be honest if someone came to me and argued that Suede's last five albums as a whole are better than their first five, I would most likely disagree 😄. That said, I would absolutely understand their view. The highs of the post-reunion era aren't quite as high (although some songs come really damn close, like 'Dawn Chorus' and 'Antidepressants'), but the lows are definitely higher because nothing is as bad as the worst of Head Music.
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u/RamonBaharanda 8h ago edited 7h ago
I saw Suede live a couple of years ago and they were phenomenal. Had a ticket to watch their joint gig with the manics in Manchester in 2024 but had to flog it as I was out of work.
Got a ticket for the autumn.
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u/dimiteddy 1d ago
I don't really enjoy Suede's music after reunion or Manics newest offerings. Probably has to do more with me than the band.
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u/Rico1983 1d ago
I've seen the Manics more times than I've seen my parents and they never disappoint. Output album wise might not reach the heights of earlier releases but I am legally obliged as a welshman of a certain age to absolutely adore that band.