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Manic Street Preachers are set to return home on Thursday 2 December to perform a special gig for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 In Concert, live from the Blackwood Miners Institute in South Wales.

The Brit Award-winning Welsh band will sing tracks from their latest album Postcards From A Young Man, plus classic hits in a venue that is close to their hearts.

Nicky Wire from Manic Street Preachers says: "It has been nearly 25 years since we have played in our home town of Blackwood. We are thrilled and excited to be returning to a venue where we have spent many hours honing our snooker skills but this was before it became a live venue. It will be the smallest gig that we have played in a long time which will no doubt lead to chaos, severe nerves, but hopefully a night of home town ecstasy."

The Manics return to Blackwood follows the success of singer-songwriter Paulo Nutini's homecoming gig in Paisley for Radio 2 earlier this year.

Jeff Smith, Head of Music, Radio 2 and 6 Music, says: "After the huge success of taking Paulo Nutini back to Paisley I know how special a homecoming gig can be and bringing the Manics back to Blackwood will be no exception. And for those fans who can't be there in person I'm pleased that not only can they listen to the gig on Radio 2 but they'll also be able to watch it live on the Radio 2 website."

To be in with a chance of being part of the audience, listeners can visit the for full details or call 03700 100 200. The ticket giveaway is open until 5.20pm on Thursday 18 November. Tickets are free and will be allocated at random.

Fans who don't manage to get tickets can listen to the live performance on Radio 2's In Concert show, presented by Jo Whiley, 2 December, 8-10pm. Then an extra special helping of the gig can be heard after 10pm by tuning into Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ 6 Music where Gideon Coe plays the band's live encore.

There is also a chance to watch the concert streamed live on the Radio 2 website and enjoy the experience in both sound and vision and to watch the full performance on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Red Button from Friday 3 December (various times, please see bbc.co.uk for details).

Radio 2 In Concert: Manic Street Preachers will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Thursday 2 December between 8-10pm and is streamed live on bbc.co.uk/radio2

Notes to Editors

To apply for ticket listeners can apply online at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2 or call 03700 100 200. Standard geographic charges apply. Calls from mobiles may be higher.

Ticket Giveaway open now until 5.20pm on Thursday 18 November. Tickets are free and will be allocated at random.

You can apply for a maximum of one pair of tickets per household, and you must make your own way to and from the event. Please see the Radio 2 website for full terms and conditions.

Radio 2 In Concert is Radio 2's weekly live music show. It features a headline concert specially recorded for the network – both new and from the archive - a gig guide, a round up of the week's live music offering on Radio 2 and classic live album tracks.

Recently Jamiroquai, Scissor Sisters, Paul Weller, Keane, Jack Johnson and Steve Winwood have performed exclusive events for Radio 2 In Concert.

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