THOSE lucky enough to get their hands on tickets for the Manic Street Preachers' sold-out gig at Southampton Guildhall on Sunday have really got something to look forward to.

Not only will they witness a performance by one of the greatest rock acts of the last decade, but they will also get to see in-demand Southampton act Delays, who have impressed enough to fill the Welsh trio's coveted support act slot on their latest tour. The Manics kick off their 2005 tour in Southampton, and Delays couldn't have hoped for a better start to their 11-date support slot, playing to a loyal home crowd.

Formed in 1986, the Manic Street Preachers were originally a foursome. Three years after the release of their 1992 debut album, Generation Terrorists, the band's guitarist, Richey Edwards, vanished without a trace. His disappearance remains a mystery, but the band continued as a threesome.

With hit albums such as Everything Must Go, This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours and Know Your Enemy under their belt, the Manics have more than enough timeless and anthemic material to fill their show in Southampton this weekend.