Super Furry Animals Reform: Band Confirmed for Gary Speed Tribute Concert

Influential Welsh rock group Super Furry Animals will reform for a performance at a special tribute soccer match later this month in Cardiff for Gary Speed, the country's late soccer manager.

According to the BBC, Super Furry Animals, Only Men Aloud and Bryn Terfel will perform Feb. 29 at Cardiff City Stadium as part of the activities during the soccer match between Wales and Costa Rica.

"Yes!" singer Gruff Rhys tweeted on Friday when asked by BBC Wales if he could finally confirm the gig.

The match will pay tribute to Speed who hung himself last November at his home at the age of 42. Prior to becoming a team manager, Speed had played for Wales 85 times in international competition.

News of Super Furry Animals playing the concert excited a few Welsh rock groups including Manic Street Preachers. "Great news about S.F.A. getting back together," the band tweeted. "One of the great bands of our time (+ for a great man as well) xx."

Super Furry Animals released their last studio album, 'Dark Days/Light Years,' in 2009 which featured a guest spot by Franz Ferdinand's Nick McCarthy. But since that time the band has been basically dormant. After the tribute concert they will perform at the Dubai Sound City festival in November alongside Echo and the Bunnymen, Happy Mondays and more. No other dates have been officially confirmed yet.

Meanwhile, Rhys has carried on with a solo career, with his latest effort, 'Hotel Shampoo,' nominated for the 2011 Welsh Music Prize. He will launch a short South American tour behind the album following the Super Furry Animals Cardiff performance. The tour begins in Sao Paulo on March 7.

Watch Super Furry Animals' 'God! Show Me Magic' Video
Follow @Spinner on Twitter | Like Us on Facebook | Sign Up for Our Newsletter