Express & Star

Review: A conversation with Johnny Marr, Birmingham Town Hall

Musicians don't get much cooler Johnny Marr. Half of the brains behind seminal Manchester indie group The Smiths, the enigmatic guitarist is and will always be one of the most influential figures in popular music.

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His career - which spans more than three decades - has seen Marr play with the likes of Beck, The Pretenders, The The, Modest Mouse and The Cribs.

But now, with two critically acclaimed albums already in the bag, he is embarking on a career as a solo musician.

Following his second solo record Playland, in October Marr released his autobiography Set The Boy Free - which prompted three 'In Conversation With...' talks across the UK, one of which came to the Birmingham Town Hall on Friday.

Led by fellow musician and founder of online rock blog Louder Than War, John Robb, Marr spoke of life growing up in 'the gloominess' of Manchester, his relationship with Smiths partner Morrissey, among a whole host of other topics the close-to-capacity venue were eager to hear about.

With six of his iconic guitars lined up on stage, the evening went through a journey of his life, as the crowd were treated to intimate snippets of riffs he'd written during his career.

Gracing his trusty Rickenbacker in hand, he filled the 19th century building with the sounds of Smiths favourites Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others, This Charming Man and Just Haven't Met You Yet Baby.

The manic Marr fans even learnt a thing or two they didn't know already. Did you know that The Smiths were going to be a disco band after his sister introduced him to Nile Rodgers' Chic?

After a two hour journey through Marr's life told in words and music, the show came to a close with a Q&A from members of the crowd.

Damning questions like, 'Do you prefer cats or dogs?' were much more welcome than the unecessary 'Are you ever going to reform The Smiths?' hecklers from around the room. (It's dogs, of course)

He aptly ended the evening with short instrumental melancholic renditions of the songs he is most proud of, Still Ill and The Headmasters Ritual.

An evening in the presence of Jonnny Marr? Oh, the pleasure the privilege was mine.

By Tom Oakley

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