Now here's something I didn't know before this gig. The manics are musical marmite for a lot of people. They seem to elicit some rather passionate and surprising responses, ranging from the sort of comment that goes along the lines of "Can't believe you're going, you lucky so and so" to odd ones such as "What? You like them? I never do understand what anybody sees in them".

It seemed to me that the huge queue of people ouside the venue before the doors opened was in answer those naysayers. There was no support band. The setlist was in two halves. The first was their latest album (Journal for Plague Lovers) played in full. And the second was a bit of a trawl through the hits. It's not often that you get such generosity from any band, and this really was a special night. I've not bought Journal yet, and the first thing I love about it is the album art which is displayed above the band. I had a discussion about this with my mate. She wasn't so impressed, but I had to disagree. Jenny Saville's work is quite exceptional.

The reception in the first half to Journal for Plague lovers was understandably less voluble than that for the second half. But this was no filler material. The lyrics are all by Richey Edwards and the band finally felt that they needed to be heard. Richey himself was represented by a pink feather boa around Nicky Wire's neck throughout the evening. Speaking of Wire, he was not his usual self as he was suffering from a prolapsed disc but it's a measure of the band and their relationship with their fans that they chose to perform this, and the other two roundhouse gigs. At times, touching, at others, displaying the manic's ear for grand musical gesture, the new material delivers once more. The final song in the first half was sang by Nicky (as he does on the album).

In truth, the performance could have ended there and we'd have all gone home very happy. We went outside to have a drink and a breather on the balcony which is superb on a summer's evening. We actually enjoyed it so much, we inadvertantly missed the opening number of the second half, Motorcycle Emptiness, which was a pity. But this would have set the tone for the rest of the second half, which was a reminder to us all why we love this band so much. We love them for so many reasons - for some it's the politics and the sheer passion of every word. I have to say I'm not one of them. I shamelessly danced and jumped and sang to "You love us", because I do just love them. I know I know. I missed the point of the song. But for me (and several hundred other people) this was a celebration of their music. And what a huge list to choose from: Tsunami, La Tristesse Durera, If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next, Australia and You Stole The Sun From My Heart. I couldn't have wished for anything better.

Looking back at the set list for the evening, I really cannot believe they played so many songs. They finished with Design for Life, and as the lights went up and the crowd started to move out, I actually felt disappointed. Time had flown by and I wanted more. I don't think they had any more to give.

Oh and one more thing. Membership cards needed to get into the Lock Tavern afterwards? What is the world coming to?