Nicky Wire’s words have been shouted back at the Manic Street Preachers from festival fields and arena floors for more than thirty years. Now one of his lines has been painted on a wall in Cardiff, on the street that has done more for Welsh grassroots music than almost any other.
The artwork, unveiled on Womanby Street during Cardiff Music City Festival, features a lyric from Deleted Scenes, from the band’s most recent album. It is styled as a ghost sign, the kind of faded painted lettering you find on old shop and warehouse walls, and it was delivered with the band’s blessing.
The artist
The piece is by Sean Edwards, who was born in Cardiff in 1980 and grew up in Llanedeyrn. He represented Wales at the 58th Venice Biennale in 2019, won a Turner Prize Bursary in 2020 and was selected for British Art Show 9. He is also, it turns out, a Manics fan.
Speaking about the new installation, he said: “It means a lot to be invited to work with this Manic Street Preachers lyric in such a prominent space for grassroots music in my hometown, and as part of [a] festival that celebrates that scene.
“When I was approached with the lyric it was serendipitous as that particular line and song from the most recent album struck a chord for me. As a Manics fan having the opportunity to weave Nicky’s lyrics into my work has been a dream come true.
“I hope it will connect with a lot of people. The design sets the work as a ghost sign – as though it’s always been present, speaking to us about our futures whilst seemingly talking from the past, echoing the lyrics call for us to look at ourselves.”
The first of many
This is the first in a planned series of lyric installations celebrating Welsh music and creativity, which will appear gradually across the city as part of Cardiff Council’s Cardiff Music City work. The idea grew out of a conversation with Cardiff PR agency Working Word.
“Manic Street Preachers lyrics have always been loaded with social commentary and there are so many that could have been chosen, but this Nicky Wire lyric really stands out for me,” said Ruth Cayford, the Cardiff Music City Festival Curator who picked the line for this first installation.
“We’re already talking about future installations – and the lyrics won’t all be chosen by me. We’re going to be asking lots of different people linked to the music scene in Wales to pick the lyrics and working with more brilliant artists to bring them to life.”
Why Womanby Street?
The new piece faces the much-loved Gwenno mural, created by artists Mark James and Bradley Woods with Cardiff Council in 2015, and sits in a narrow lane of venues that has launched countless Welsh bands.
Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “Womanby Street plays such an important role in Cardiff’s grassroots music scene and Manic Street Preachers are one of Wales’ most important and influential bands, so it’s fitting that they have been brought together for the city’s first lyric artwork.
“Music is central to our vision for Cardiff’s future. Through Cardiff Music City, we’re providing funding and support to grassroots venues, helping nurture new talent, bringing thousands of music lovers to the city to enjoy Cardiff Music City Festival and with these new artworks, using culture and creativity to strengthen the city’s identity as a leading music destination.”
Cardiff Music City Festival continues until 17 October, with Sŵn Festival, Llais and the Welsh Music Prize alongside talks, pop-ups, exhibitions and gigs across the city. See cardiffmusiccityfestival.wales for what’s left to catch.
Music Life Tip!
Make a weekend of it. See the artwork by daylight, when the low sun picks out the lettering, then stay on Womanby Street for a gig once the doors open.
Main picture: Cardiff Council.
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