Manic Street Preachers will be commemorating the 30th anniversary of their 1994 album ‘The Holy Bible’ with a special screening of their concert film BePure-BeVigilant-Behave. This album was the band’s third studio record, written during a challenging period when guitarist and lyricist Richey Edwards was battling addiction, depression, and anorexia nervosa.
Back in 2014, for the 20th anniversary of the album, the Manics performed the entire album during a ten-date tour, which included a show at the Roundhouse in London. This series of concerts was captured and edited into a concert film by director Kieron Evans. Now, the band is gearing up to showcase the movie once again.
The film screening will take place on August 30, marking the exact anniversary of the album’s initial release, at the Picturehouse Central cinema in London. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A session with bassist Nicky Wire and director Kieron Evans. Fans can secure their tickets for the event.
Wire expressed, “We aimed to capture the intense atmosphere of the record on film to convey the raw emotional power and physical challenges of performing those songs. With just one camera strategically placed on stage, we were confident that Kieran could capture that energy.”
Before the film’s original debut in 2016, Evans shared insights into the creation process. He mentioned discussing with Wire about the approach, settling on a vision of ‘The Sex Pistols directed by Gaspar Noé,’ in reference to the edgy French director known for his controversial films. The filming concept involved Evans using a low-end camera, filming one band member each night from various angles, as well as capturing the audience.
In addition to the anniversary celebration for ‘The Holy Bible,’ the Manics also re-released their album ‘Lifeblood’ earlier this year, marking two decades since its original launch. This re-issue allowed fans to revisit the music that has made a lasting impact over the years, showcasing the band’s evolution and diverse discography.