manics in cuba (from bbc news 24)
The islands first major international concert for 20 years. Around 5000 cuban fans are paying the equivalent of 25 cents to see the band play havana's karl marx theatre. The last big act to play in cuba was billy joel and that was in 1979.
(shot of stage with cuban flag as backdrop)
The manic street preachers are the biggest foreign rock band ever to visit cuba. Their latest album includes several references to the communist island most notably a song entitled Elian Baby. It's about the 6 year old cuban boy Elian Gonzales who after being shipwrecked became the subject of a long running custody battle between his family in cuba and those in the united states.
(shot of manics coming out for a press conference, james, sean then nicky, sean and nicky wear shades, james and sean wear black, nicky white... later a shot of james soundchecking design for life acoustically)
The band said they'd come to cuba to show their solidarity and because they thought it would be an interesting place to visit. Los Manics as they've become known here say their visit is not as some have suggested to sell records or promote themselves however they admitted to knowing very little about the political situation on the communist island but said they hoped that president fidel castro would attend their concert at havanas karl marx theatre. That however in the land of salsa, sun and boleros seems unlikely.
The manic street preachers whose debut album was released 9 years ago have never shied away from controversy. Their lyrics are often overtly political and they've had bitter rows with the music press and other bands. Cuba has never seen anything like the manic street preachers but most cubans have never heard of them and the few that have have never had access to their music. But there's an appetite especially among the young for anything that's new and foreign. And the references on the new album in support of cuba and its long running dispute with the united states will go down well with the communist authorities who may even find their feet tapping to the music of the band from south wales.
report shown 17th Feb
