Manic Street Preachers covered Madonna's 'Borderline' during a tiny Cardiff show last night.
The band returned to the Welsh capital to help launch 6Music Festival, which takes hold of the city this coming weekend.
The group had been slated to play Clwb Ifor Bach in the city some 30 years ago, before being forced to postpone.
Finally playing the famed independent venue, Manic Street Preachers delivered a set littered with both hits and one-off surprises.
Host Huw Stephens introduced the band, with bassist Nicky Wire explaining: “This is a first time experience for me, I’ve never been here before… In Cardiff I think we’re up to 12 different venues, from our first gig in Chapter, which is probably ‘88, 34, 35 years ago, right through to the Principality Stadium. But we never did this one – this is kind of sacred ground.”
During the set Manic Street Preachers introduced a special cover, opting to play Madonna's early hit 'Borderline' to surprised fans.
It's a neat, faithful cover – James Dean Bradfield handles the guitar intro, while the punchy performance adds a rock heft to the Material Girl's pop nous.
Tune in below.
Manic Street Preachers / Clwb Ifor Bach set list:
Motorcycle Emptiness
From Despair to Where
His Last Painting – live debut
You Stole the Sun from My Heart
Still Snowing in Sapporo
Year of Purification
Your Love Alone Is Not Enough
Everything Must Go
Blank Diary Entry – live debut, dedicated to Mark Lanegan
If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next
Methadone Pretty
The Secret He Had Missed
Spectators of Suicide – featuring Gwenno
Borderline – live debut, Madonna cover
You Love Us
A Design For Life
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Photo Credit: Alex Lake
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