returned to the stage for a further charity gig

The band took a break from performing live between the NetAid charity concert in October 1999 and 2001. They returned to the stage for a further charity gig on 28 April, in support of Unison ‘s campaign for a living wage at the Manchester Evening News Arena . Matthews said prior to the performance that “It’s a cause I think’s really important and it just seemed to be the right time for us to come back – it’s a long, long time since we played live. It should be really great. We’re really looking forward to what they (the new songs) are going to sound like live. It’ll be good to get back on the old live circuit again.” They played several tracks from their upcoming album, at that point entitled It’s What’s Not There That Makes What’s There What It Is . By May, it had been renamed to Paper Scissors Stone . Matthews was looking forward to the new releasing, explaining to NME that “I think it’s stronger than the last album, a bit more avant garde !…It’s a bit less stupid. [ Equally Cursed and Blessed ] was all over the shop stylistically, I think it’s a bit more focused. And I think it’s a bit more impassioned”.