Manic Street Preachers about "culture, alienation, boredom and despair" has gained them a loyal following and cult status. With their debut album, "Generation Terrorists", the Manic Street Preachers proclaimed it would be the "greatest rock album ever", as well as hoping to sell "sixteen million copies" around the world, after which they would split up. Despite the album's failure to meet this level of success, the band carried on with their career. The group became a trio after Richey Edwards disappeared in February 1995. The band went on to gain critical and commercial success in spite of his absence. Edwards was legally "presumed
T4 on the Beach fifth event took place on 22 July 2007. Acts performing at the 2007 event included: MAMI, Maroon 5, Manic Street Preachers, Akon, Natasha Bedingfield, Mika, Amerie, Girls Aloud, McFly, Just Jack, Calvin Harris, Mutya Buena, Dizzee Rascal, Funeral for a Friend, Kate Nash, Super Furry Animals, Reverend and The Makers, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Athlete, The Pigeon Detectives, Badly Drawn Boy, Mark Ronson, The Maccabees, Hadouken!, Jamie Scott and the Town, Remi Nicole, The Hoosiers and The Twang. The sixth event took place on 20 July 2008 with the usual presenters. Acts performing at the 2008 event included: Lil' Chris, Basshunter, The