When James Dean Bradfield told the crowd at the last Manic Street Preachers gig, "You won't see us for two years", he was ready and willing to have a long break.

But the frontman's creative juices kept flowing and, during the hiatus, he ended up writing and recording a solo album.

"It sounds horribly sincere and earnest but I really missed having music in my life," he says.

The result is The Great Western, a record which has received impressive reviews, with some critics rating it above the Manics themselves.

His people have described it as "a belated statement of intent, which combines sweeping flourishes of Everything Must Go, the airtight punk of The Holy Bible and Generation Terrorists' wide-eyed lust for life". Others just say it's a damn fine pop-rock record.

It seems, while writing it, James was in a reflective mood, looking to the past for inspiration and regularly making the same train journey between Cardiff and Paddington the young Manics used to make.

"I noticed a lot of my writing was happening on that train journey and I began to realise it wasn't an accident," he says.

One track penned this way was latest single An English Gentleman. It pays tribute to the late Philip Hall, the Manics' publicist and mentor, who put them on the path to success. It's not all about the memories, however. As expected, James takes a political swipe or two organised religion, Aids and the Iraq war are mentioned with typical angst.

And, just to prove there is no rift, fellow Manic Nicky Wire lent his writing talents, in the form of Bad Boys And Painkillers. It's another emotionally charged number, which compares former bandmate Richey Edwards (who disappeared in 1995) with the infamous Pete Doherty. "I don't know if anyone's made that comparison before. There is a massive difference between them but it all ends on the same road," says James.

The Welshman has assured fans the Manics will get back in the studio after this tour, with a new album pencilled in for 2007. But, for now, he's enjoying taking centre stage: "I've only just mastered being a solo performer but I've realised I actually enjoy it.

"Seeing Words and music by James Dean Bradfield' written down actually made me happy. For once I've lost a bit of my insecurity."

  • Starts 7.30pm, tickets £12.50. SOLD OUT. Call 01273 673311.