Nicky Wire slams festivals

United Kingdom | | 10 July 2006

Despite playing Latitude next weekend, Manic Street Preachers bassist Nicky Wire has hit out at festivals and all the acts that play them - especially seasoned field favourites like, err, Robbie Williams...

According to a popular music site, the Welsh rocker refuses to be part of the summer festival circuit because most events have become "corporate hellholes".

The Manics bassist, who has just launched his solo career, apparently also detests other bands who regularly play the major festivals, such as Glastonbury, Reading and T In The Park, because they attract people who only listen to music which is hugely popular.

Nicky Wire said: "I've always hated festivals. From the very start of the Manics, me and Richey (Edwards) used to live by what Pete Townsend said at Woodstock: 'So much for peace and love, all I saw was mud and people smoking marijuana.' Needless to say, I loathe festival bands, too. Travis, Robbie Williams... it's the sort of music liked by people who buy one CD and who go to one gig a year. And the gig, of course, is a festival."

Last time we can recall Robbie playing a festival was at Glastonbury back in 1998. The last time Travis played one was at the Isle Of Wight last year, the year after the Manic Street Preachers played in 2004. Travis headlined, the Manics didn't. Plus The Who looked like they were having the time of their lives when we watched them headlining T in the Park last night and Hyde Park Calling last weekend. The next time Nicky Wire plays a festival? This Sunday at Latitude.

Click here for more info on Latitude.