Johnny Marr has performed a collection of solo and Smiths classics with a 30 piece orchestra during a Manchester homecoming show last night (December 7) – check it out below.
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Marr is marking his first 10 years as a solo artist with a two-night residency at the Factory Internationalâs new venue Aviva Studios this week and will play a second show tonight (December 8). You can get any remaining tickets for the show here.
In a four star review of the show, NME said: “Songs from Marrâs four solo albums over the last decade dominate the set, but inevitably it is the choice cuts from the past that rouse the crowd most effectively.”
Check out footage from the show and the set list here:
Anyone that was there tonight helped make music history & anyone there tomorrow seeing Johnny Marr & his band & 30 plus piece orchestra is in for a religious experience!
What a night! @Johnny_Marr @iwangronow @NileMarr @factoryintl #Manchesterpic.twitter.com/YlfRf0TWqs
— FairyNuff (@Fairynuffs) December 8, 2023
The Johnny Marr orchestra and impeccable How Soon Is Now solo #johnnymarr #manchester #factory âŠ@MartinUrty1â© âŠ@DavidHarling1â© âŠ@PhilHornerDIPâ© pic.twitter.com/zi5AzqjTEL
— Stephen Watkins (@SteveWatkinsNHS) December 7, 2023
Johnny Marr back in Manchester, with orchestra, and tribute to Andy Rourke @Johnny_Marr #johnnymarr #thesmiths @factoryintl pic.twitter.com/1Cu6B5cgRD
— Stephen Watkins (@SteveWatkinsNHS) December 7, 2023
Saw possibly the coolest ever Manchester musician @Johnny_Marr last night with his band and orchestra. One of the best gigs of the year pic.twitter.com/0yKNW28sCn
— Dennis (@BluDen1) December 8, 2023
A fabulous night last night with Johnny Marr and his Orchestra at a great new Manchester venue. Also a very poignant final farewell. Also in the company of @rtugwell #livemusic #johnnymarr #marr pic.twitter.com/4MRFWH5OUf
— Martin Reynolds (@ReynoldsRambles) December 8, 2023
Johnny Marr played:
âArmatopiaâ
âDay In Day Outâ
âNew Town Velocityâ
âHow Soon Is Now?â
âGet the Messageâ
âRubiconâ
âLast Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Meâ
âHi Helloâ
âSomewhereâ
âSpiral Citiesâ
âWalk Into the Sea
âPlease, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Wantâ
âEasy Moneyâ
âGetting Away With Itâ
âPanicâ
âThere Is a Light That Never Goes Outâ
Led by conductor Fiona Brice, the orchestra for the performances has been assembled by Marr specifically for the two-night billing; and is composed of musicians from across the North.
Speaking about playing with an orchestra, Marr said: âIâve had two experiences of playing with an orchestra â Hans Zimmer, obviously, and also with Pet Shop Boys â but to actually sing in front of an orchestra playing my own work, thatâs a first. You canât help feeling a little bit emotional.”
He continued: âItâs been really enjoyable working on the arrangements. Iâve been doing a lot of pre-orchestration work, and some of the songs have taken on a sort of highly pumped symphonic feel.â
Later this month Marr will also join BBC 6 Music as the stationâs latest Artist in Residence, presenting eight new shows broadcast from next Monday (September 18) to Thursday (September 21) and the following Monday (25) to Thursday (28) from 9pm-10pm BST.
Through each episode, he will explore the songs that have shaped specific periods of his life. Heâll also take a deep dive into the inspiration behind various riffs during his time in The Smiths, demonstrate his deep love of Chic, and share advice for anyone about how to play the guitar.
Meanwhile, Marr was recently joined by The Charlatansâ Tim Burgess for a cover of Electronicâs âGetting Away With Itâ at Halifaxâs Piece Hall.
The performance was the latest in a series of recent on-stage collaborations with Marr previously joined onstage by Gaz Coombes to perform The Smithsâ classic âThere Is A Light That Never Goes Outâ at Lakefest 2023.
The post Watch Johnny Marr perform solo and Smiths classics with 30-piece orchestra at Manchester homecoming show appeared first on NME.
