It was a game of two halves at the Eden Sessions last night as England went head to head with Wales and, as opposed to the country's lacklustre football team, came away as tournament winners. It's unfair to pitch the double header of Suede and the Manic Street Preachers as rivals as they're friends and their combined tour, when they revolve headline slots, has been a huge success - a chance for both bands to pick the best of the hits and fan favourites in tight one-and-a-bit hour sets. It was only fair that Suede headlined at their first show.
The Manics have played there before and there was also a Hall for Cornwall gig in a few years ago. However, you have to go back to 1999 for when Brett and co last graced Kernow with their presence - a less than sold-out show at the Cornwall Coliseum within spitting distance of Eden, after their crown had slipped somewhat. The band of today is a very different beast, but more on Suede in a bit.
The Manics came on at an unfashionably early 7.25pm but to an already rammed Eden bowl such is the love for the Blackwood boys. No meandering, straight into the stately Motorcycle Emptiness and singalong joy for the masses with the likes of From Despair To Where, You Stole The Sun From My Heart, Your Love Alone Is Not Enough (with The Anchoress on added vocals), La Tristesse Durera and You Love Us among the 17-song set.
Fans were kept happy with the likes of To Repel Ghosts from the unfairly maligned Lifeblood album, Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool .