Manchester is renowned for its vibrant live music scene, having birthed some of the most iconic bands in history, including New Order, Oasis, The Smiths, and James. Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Wythenshawe Park became a hub of musical energy, hosting two days of exhilarating performances. On the Saturday, we had the pleasure of witnessing Johnny Marr take the stage as support for New Order, who then played their first show in nine months.
Exuding effortless cool in his shades, Johnny took to the stage and kicked off with ‘Armatopia’, a synth-driven track that makes it impossible not to dance, setting the perfect tone for the evening. This show was particularly meaningful for the guitar legend, who grew up in Wythenshawe, and he paid tribute to his roots with a rousing performance of The Smiths’ ‘Panic’, which thrilled the audience. He then revisited his debut solo album with ‘Generate! Generate!’ – a track that was exhilarating from start to finish, highlighted by an epic guitar breakdown that showcased his exceptional skill. Next up was ‘Spirit Power and Soul’ from Johnny’s latest studio album, offering the perfect contrast between old and new. While Johnny is celebrated for his guitar work, this track in particular showcases his versatility, driven by vibrant synths and highlighted by drummer Jack Mitchell’s skillful performance on an electronic kit. The energy remained high as ‘This Charming Man’ followed, prompting an explosive reaction from the crowd. Always generous with Smiths’ tracks, Johnny’s broad smile revealed his pride in them, and his vocals effortlessly carried the anthemic tune.
With a cheeky grin, Johnny reassured the crowd not to be afraid as he introduced a new song. Armed with an acoustic guitar – a practice he’s embraced since his two nights with an orchestra last December – he delivered a stripped-back rendition of ‘Somewhere‘. This performance highlighted Johnny’s lyrical prowess while offering a nod to his orchestral shows through its arrangement, which gradually introduced a subtle beat. Next came ‘Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want’, slowing the tempo but captivating the audience as the crowd fell into a respectful silence, giving the song the attention it deserved.
Growing up in Wythenshawe, the set held particular significance for Johnny. During ‘How Soon Is Now’, he shared the stage with one of his oldest friends, The Cult’s Billy Duffy, making the moment even more special. Known for igniting massive singalongs, ‘How Soon Is Now’ features some of Johnny’s most distinctive guitar work, which was elevated even further by Billy’s contribution, accompanied by his iconic Falcon guitar.
The infectiously catchy ‘Easy Money’ received a rapturous reaction. A crowd favourite in Johnny’s sets, it shines a light on his success and capabilities as a solo artist. Next up was ‘Getting Away With It’, and while the hoped-for Electronic reunion with Bernard Sumner didn’t materialise, Johnny delivered a stunning performance, showcasing his mastery with an extended guitar breakdown. Although Johnny first gained fame with The Smiths, his time in multiple bands over the years is evident, and it was great to see him pay homage to his era with Electronic. The hour flew by, and Johnny’s set concluded with ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out’. Dedicated to everyone in the crowd and those on their minds, the song brought his stellar performance to a triumphant close, leaving the audience with the feeling that he was the true headliner.
With it being their first show since Darker Waves Festival last November, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation before New Order took the stage. The Manchester icons opened with ‘Academic’ from Music Complete – a track that has become a setlist staple as the album nears its decade milestone. Next came ‘Crystal’, followed by a powerful trio of anthems – ‘Age of Consent’, ‘Regret’, and ‘Ceremony’ – that truly ignited the night, sending the energy soaring as thousands danced along.
‘Isolation’ was the first Joy Division track of the night. Though Joy Division possessed a different sound to New Order, the track fitted seamlessly into the setlist as the band captured the haunting essence of the original while infusing it with their signature synth-driven sound. Layered in richness and beauty, ‘Your Silent Face’ followed, eliciting a rapturous reaction that cemented its reputation as one of the band’s most iconic songs. After revving up the energy with the upbeat ‘Be A Rebel’, the band delivered a highly anticipated live debut of ‘Nothing But A Fool’, before ‘Sub-Culture’ shone a spotlight on Tom Chapman’s exceptional bass playing.
You can always rely on New Order for an exceptional light show, and they truly excelled during the anthemic ‘Bizarre Love Triangle’ in particular. Driven by a pulsating beat from Stephen Morris, the track was enhanced by swirling faux-strings from Gillian Morris and succinct lyrics that had the crowd singing along, firmly establishing it as a timeless dance classic. Next came ‘Vanishing Point’, with its danceable rhythm contrasting sharply with Bernard’s sombre lyrics, before a pounding rendition of the infectious ‘Plastic’, characterised by its throbbing synths, and sharp guitar riffs from Phil Cunningham.
One of the best singles bands of their era, New Order brought the main set to an end with a powerhouse trio of classics that most artists would envy having in their back catalogue – ‘True Faith’, ‘Blue Monday’, and ‘Temptation’. Dancing along to the hypnotic rhythm of ‘True Faith’, Bernard was completely absorbed in the performance, carrying that infectious energy into the iconic ‘Blue Monday’ and ‘Temptation’. By this point in the evening, the rain was pouring down, but it only added to the atmosphere, with no one in the crowd caring as the night reached new heights.
The encore paid homage to the late Ian Curtis with a powerful trio of Joy Division tracks – ‘Atmosphere’, ‘Transmission’, and ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’. Resonating deeply with the audience, all three tracks captured the enduring spirit of Ian’s legacy, reinforcing the band’s profound connection to their past. As the band expressed their gratitude before leaving the stage, it was evident that they had thoroughly enjoyed themselves and had reconnected with the thrill of live performance. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that there are no further dates on the horizon.
Saturday night featured two euphoric homecoming sets from two artists who were, and continue to be, pivotal to the Manchester music scene. Though while Johnny Marr’s set gained momentum with each song, New Order’s performance did fall slightly flat as Bernard Sumner’s vocals struggled to hit the mark. That said, the crowd showed no signs of disappointment, and after four decades since the band’s formation, they were undoubtedly elated that they’re still performing.
