Johnny Marr, Sam Shingler

Tokoinranta, Eläintarhantie, 00530 Helsinki
Huvila Festival Tent

The Smiths legend at Huvila

Johnny Marr began his career with The Smiths in 1982, becoming one of the most influential British indie music songwriters and guitarists almost overnight. Active between 1982 and 1987, the band’s core consisted of Marr and vocalist Morrissey’s songwriting partnership combined with Morrissey’s charming personality and Marr’s jangle pop guitar playing.

Following the Smiths’ breakup, Marr has been a member of such groups as The Pretender, The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse and The Cribs, and a session musician working with the likes of Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads, Oasis, Bryan Ferry and The Avalanches. Marr also performed the score composed by Hans Zimmer for the James Bond film No Time To Die, including playing the guitar for the theme song performed by Billie Eilish. 

Marr did not start his solo career until 2003, when he released Boomslang with Johnny Marr & The Healers, a group put together specifically for the album. Marr released his first real solo album, The Messenger, in February 2013. Every one of Marr’s four solo albums has gone to the Top 10 of the British Charts, with the latest release Fever Dreams Pts. 1-4 reaching number 4 in 2022.

The Finnish indie and Britpop veteran Sam Shingler is making an impressive solo career. Shingler is remembered from, for example, The Pansies, Montevideo, Husky Rescue, Shadowplay and Treemer.