Johnny Marr has announced two very special homecoming shows for Factory International at their landmark new cultural venue Aviva Studios in Manchester, taking place on 7th and 8th December 2023.
For the first time, Johnny Marr and his band will be joined by a 30-piece orchestra for an expansive celebration of the last decade of Johnny’s solo body of work – 10 prolific years since the release of his 2013 debut solo album, The Messenger.
Led by conductor Fiona Brice, the orchestra has been assembled by Johnny Marr specially for the event and is composed of musicians from across the North.
Fans can expect to hear songs from across Johnny’s revered catalogue in what is set to be an emotional and epic finale to Johnny Marr’s 2023 live performances.
Tickets are on sale from 15th September here and available for pre-sale to Factory International Members from 13th September.
Speaking ahead of the Factory International shows, Johnny said: “I’ve had two experiences of playing with an orchestra – Hans Zimmer, obviously, and also with Pet Shop Boys – but to actually sing in front of an orchestra playing my own work, that’s a first. You can’t help feeling a little bit emotional.
It’s been really enjoyable working on the arrangements. I’ve been doing a lot of pre-orchestration work, and some of the songs have taken on a sort of highly pumped symphonic feel.”
The two exclusive concerts will follow a busy year of activity that has already seen Johnny debut as yet unreleased new music at shows across the UK and Europe this summer, with audiences eagerly receiving his latest work.
This month Johnny Marr will join BBC 6 Music as the station’s latest Artist in Residence, presenting eight new shows broadcast from Monday 18th – Thursday 21st September and Monday 25th – Thursday 28th September, 9pm-10pm.
Through each episode Johnny will explore the songs that have shaped specific periods of his life. Episodes include Influencers, where Marr explores the artists who informed his own playing and North x North West, in which he recalls his time living in Portland, Oregon. Throughout the series he’ll also take a deep dive into the inspiration behind various The Smiths riffs, demonstrate his deep love of Chic, and share advice for anyone about how to play the guitar.
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