Johnny Marr

Manchester-born guitarist and songwriter Johnny Marr brings his crisp, melodic craft to Iveagh Gardens, Saint Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, on 10 July 2026. First known for shaping the sound of The Smiths in the early 80s, he forged a guitar language of bright arpeggios, interlaced counter-melodies and a driving, percussive pulse, drawing from post-punk, 60s pop and classic rock. After the split in 1987, Marr moved between projects with the same clarity of line and rhythm: The The, Electronic with Bernard Sumner, then later Modest Mouse and The Cribs, widening his palette without losing that precise harmonic touch.

His solo path has taken the lead since the 2010s. The Messenger (2013) and Playland (2014) push a lean, wired indie rock; Call the Comet (2018) and Fever Dreams Pts 1–4 (2022) fold in discreet synth textures and a denser atmosphere. On stage, Marr stitches these periods together, letting the guitar carry the melody while the band keeps the groove tight. The set moves between alternative rock and electric pop, built around concise forms and recurring motifs, with arrangements that underline what matters here: motion, detail and the song at the center.