Johnny Marr at The 1865 in Southampton

In what was I believe the first gig of the year for Johnny Marr and his long time bandmates, they chose The 1865 in Southampton to warm themselves up for the year ahead. This gig is only a few days before they take to the main stage at The National Bowl in Milton Keynes at the Forever Now Festival, on before Billy Idol, The The and Kraftwerk with many more fantastic bands on the lineup. And what a way to blow off the cobwebs, if there actually were any, it didn’t show. They also have another in Sheffield before the weekends activities.

No support act for this one and on a hot night in the middle of a UK heatwave it was probably a godsend to those in attendance although I heard zero complaints. The foir of them took to the stage in a casual manner to an expected raucous applause.

The setlist speaks for itself although a knowing eye will see after the always epic and crowd pleasing Spirit Power & Soul a couple of new songs, ‘Hoodoo People’ and ‘How Come’. He introduced them with a “who wants new music at a gig” joking apology. Yes, who wants to hear new music live, we cant sing along?

We do Johnny! Both track sounded great and looking forward to a new album now. He then said “heres another new one” and launched into ‘This Charming Man’, well the crowd dare i say exploded into song, why wouldn’t they. In an audience of all ages, everyone was singing along, a tribute to the song and good parenting.

It was classic after classic from ‘Panic’ to ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’, ‘Easy Money’ to ‘How Soon is Now’ and the rendition of ‘Getting Away With It’ which ive seen a few times before never ceases to turn me into a dancing cheshire cat. The Iggy Pop cover ‘Passenger’ and the finish with ‘There is a Light That Never Goes Out’ is set in stone as a closer, expected and delivered.

I might sound like a true fan-boy, I am, and have been since I first heard The Smiths way too long ago, I’ve grown up with Johnny Marr’s music and it will always bring me and many many others just a musical Joy. This gig sold out in literally seconds, such is the demand for this music be it fans of The Smiths, Electronic, The The, Modest Mouse, The Healers, The Pretenders, The Cribs, the list goes on, or as i’m sure most just Johnny Marr and all the music he’s linked with generally. A true musical icon and guitar hero for many, including me.