Book group

It's not exactly the sexiest or coolest of causes for a rock star to be fighting for, but the Manics' Nicky Wire is impassioned in his sterling defence of the humble public library, and forthright in his condemnation of the government which is threatening to cull their numbers.

Wire's sentiments aren't entirely surprising when you consider that he's the bassist of a band who played at the opening of the new Cardiff Central Library, which bears their lyric "Libraries gave us power" on its plaque. Don't expect to hear Kasabian pledge their allegiance to the fight any time soon - they probably don't even know what a book is...