The past few years have been a whirlwind for Johnny Marr. From releasing a greatest hits collection to publishing a book documenting the iconic guitars he’s used and owned throughout his career, the legendary guitarist has been in constant motion – including a North American tour with James. Until now, 2025 had offered a rare moment of calm. But that changed this week, as Johnny returned to the stage with two intimate warm-up shows ahead of his set at the Forever Now festival. He’ll then head back to North America in September before closing out the year with an extensive European tour. We caught the first of these warm-ups on a sweltering Thursday evening in Southampton.
Aside from a guest appearance at Franz Ferdinand’s City Sessions in January, this marked Johnny’s first full show since Minnesota in October – but you’d never have known it. Striding confidently onto the stage, he launched straight into the electrifying ‘Generate! Generate!‘, setting the tone for the night. The first Smiths track of the set, ‘Stop Me If You Think That You’ve Heard This One Before‘, came next, keeping the momentum high. The energy only intensified with the synth-driven ‘Armatopia’. Often used as an opener, it drew a massive reaction, underscoring Johnny’s remarkable range – not just as a legendary guitarist, but as a formidable songwriter in his own right.
Arguably his most beloved solo single to date, the melodic ‘Hi Hello‘ soared early in the set, showcasing some of Johnny’s most poetic lyrics and featuring a stunningly intricate guitar breakdown. In sharp contrast, ‘Spirit, Power & Soul‘ followed, channeling the electronic pulse of his latest studio album Fever Dreams Pts. 1–4. The shift in tone was matched visually and sonically – Jack Mitchell swapped his acoustic kit for an electronic setup, while James Doviak took command of the synths, delivering a dazzling display of keyboard craftsmanship.
Taking a moment to connect with the audience, Johnny shared that his time away from touring had been anything but idle. He brought with him two new songs for their first live outing. ‘Hoodoo People‘ surged with gritty, kinetic energy and a chorus that demanded attention. Then came ‘How Come‘ – hook-laden, lyrically compelling, and the kind of track that lingers long after the final chord. A future single, without question. Johnny’s ability to build a crowd-pleasing setlist is well-established. Even as he took the risk of debuting brand-new material, he kept the audience firmly in his grip by immediately following with the timeless and anthemic ‘This Charming Man‘.
When Johnny released the Spirit Power compilation in 2023, it came with two new tracks – one of which, Somewhere, has since emerged as a clear fan favourite. Taking to the stage with just an acoustic guitar, Johnny delivered a stripped-back opening that allowed the song’s emotional weight to shine. As the tempo gradually picked up, the full band crashed in, transforming the track into a soaring, euphoric moment – reminiscent of its powerful rendition during his orchestral shows at Manchester’s Aviva Studios. Remaining with the acoustic, the atmosphere shifted as the lights dimmed to a moody blue. Then came the delicate opening chords of ‘Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want‘ – a standout moment in the set that highlighted Johnny’s often-underrated vocal strength, his voice gliding effortlessly over Doviak’s gentle piano accompaniment.
One of the night’s biggest surprises came in the form of ‘Down on the Corner‘, a track from Boomslang – the solo album Johnny released under the Johnny Marr & The Healers moniker in 2003. With the record having finally received its long-awaited vinyl pressing last year, the timing felt perfect to reintroduce its material into the live set. But this wasn’t just a throwback – it had been given a full revamp. Driven by Iwan Gronow’s pulsing bass, the track was reimagined with a faster tempo, making Johnny’s precise, rapid-fire vocal delivery all the more impressive. ‘Panic’ came next, raising the energy even higher, before the mood shifted into darker territory with the brooding, atmospheric ‘Walk Into the Sea‘.
As Johnny and the band raced toward the end of the set, the energy only intensified – and so did Johnny’s grin. The raucous ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again‘ was met with a thunderous reaction, followed by the irresistibly catchy ‘Easy Money’, which seems to have evolved over time, now bolstered by extra guitar flourishes that add even more bite. With the momentum in full swing, ‘How Soon Is Now?‘ came next, its iconic tremolo riff reverberating through the intimate venue. The Smiths classic, too, appears to have been reimagined, its sound fuller and more guitar-driven – bringing to mind the heavier edge Billy Duffy lends it when he occasionally joins Johnny on stage. ‘Getting Away With It‘ wrapped up the main set with style – a throwback to Johnny’s Electronic days and a reminder of his dual brilliance as frontman and guitarist, culminating in a lengthy, euphoric breakdown that stood out as one of the show’s undeniable high points.
The encore kicked off with a jubilant rendition of Iggy Pop’s The Passenger‘ – a track that Johnny and the band made their own during last year’s BBC Radio 2 Piano Room Month, and later brought to life again alongside Tim Booth on their North American tour. Closing the night was ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out‘ – a cornerstone of Johnny’s solo sets since the beginning. The beloved Smiths classic drew a powerful, communal response, with the crowd singing every word. It was deeply heartwarming – not just to see Johnny bowing to the crowd, but to see the awe in his eyes, as if he couldn’t quite believe the outpouring of love still surrounding him after all these years.
If this warm-up show was any indication, Johnny isn’t just ready to return to the road – he’s doing so with renewed fire, fresh material, and a setlist that spans the full breadth of his remarkable career. What unfolded in Southampton wasn’t just a concert; it was a celebration of a legacy still very much in motion. Whether drawing from his Smiths years, solo catalogue, or deeper cuts like Boomslang, Johnny delivered with passion, precision, and a genuine connection to his audience. One thing is clear: for Johnny, the light hasn’t just never gone out – it’s burning brighter than ever.
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