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LIVE REVIEW
JOHNNY MARR
NEWCASTLE CITY HALL 2ND OF APRIL 2024
Photos: Copyright David Weddle 2024 @dweddlephotography
He has been in the music business for over forty years and has performed with household names from Noel Gallagher to Pearl Jam. His music has crossed generations, and now Johnny Marr has brought his current tour to Newcastle with support from another star, Gaz Coombes.
The night may have been bitterly cold outside, but that didn't stop the good people of Newcastle from queueing up outside City Hall early to ensure their spot for a rather special night of music. The hall was packed for the opening act, Gaz Coombes. You may know Gaz as the frontman for British rockers Supergrass. But tonight Gaz was playing a solo set of his own songs to warm the crowd up, both figuratively and literally.
Gaz definitely gave me and the crowd a performance to remember. Playing a decent-sized set, the singer and his band were full of energy, and they all looked to be enjoying the night. The highlight for me has to be a stunning rendition of 'Long Live the Strange', from Gaz's last album, 'Turn the Car Around'. A great performance from a singer and musician whose charismatic smile lit up the room from start to finish.
The night may have been bitterly cold outside, but that didn't stop the good people of Newcastle from queueing up outside City Hall early to ensure their spot for a rather special night of music. The hall was packed for the opening act, Gaz Coombes. You may know Gaz as the frontman for British rockers Supergrass. But tonight Gaz was playing a solo set of his own songs to warm the crowd up, both figuratively and literally.
Gaz definitely gave me and the crowd a performance to remember. Playing a decent-sized set, the singer and his band were full of energy, and they all looked to be enjoying the night. The highlight for me has to be a stunning rendition of 'Long Live the Strange', from Gaz's last album, 'Turn the Car Around'. A great performance from a singer and musician whose charismatic smile lit up the room from start to finish.
Next up, the moment the crowd had been waiting for was upon us. As the house lights dimmed, the red and blue lights swept in a searchlight-like motion around the auditorium and what sounded like emergency sirens played over the PA, building a very dramatic scene as the anticipation grew in the audience.
The tension finally broke as Johnny and the band walked on to the stage and kicked off the show with 'Sensory Street'. Of the twenty songs on the setlist, seven of them were The Smiths tracks, much to the delight of the fans, who were treated to songs like 'Panic', 'The Charming Man', and the finale of 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out '.
The tension finally broke as Johnny and the band walked on to the stage and kicked off the show with 'Sensory Street'. Of the twenty songs on the setlist, seven of them were The Smiths tracks, much to the delight of the fans, who were treated to songs like 'Panic', 'The Charming Man', and the finale of 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out '.
Johnny also played 'Generate! Generate!', a song that hasn't been played live in nearly a decade. The strength in Johnny's voice is impeccable, and his energy is infectious. Obviously, it would be remiss of me not to mention the incredible guitar skills that Johnny has. The way he plays just makes you want to move and the audience most certainly did just that.
Johnny's audience is mix of all ages and that is a testament to his ability to write and play songs that resonate with people in a way that is impossible to fake. He is genuinely one of rock music's greats. Overall it was a fantastic night of great music from a group of performers who put everything they have into giving their fans an incredible show.
Johnny's audience is mix of all ages and that is a testament to his ability to write and play songs that resonate with people in a way that is impossible to fake. He is genuinely one of rock music's greats. Overall it was a fantastic night of great music from a group of performers who put everything they have into giving their fans an incredible show.
