Reviews of Habibi Funk 031, Kayatibu, and The Good Ones
Latest editorial
A rapturous finale saves Marr’s bacon
[Victor Frankowski]
SIMON DUFF relishes the cross contamination of Damien Hirst’s greatest hits by street artists from France and the US
In view of the grooming gangs inquiry, SIMON PARSONS feels the relevance of this powerful examination of trauma suffered at Medomsley Youth Detention Centre
JOHN GREEN doubts the motivations of a US war photographer who never questions why, or for whom, she is producing images of imperialist conflict
MARIA DUARTE reviews Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, Hedda, The Mastermind, and Regretting You
TONY CONWAY welcomes a thrilling and concise history of Hope not Hate, that is also a manual full of tactical advice
PAUL DONOVAN welcomes an inspiring account of living with deafness that has important lessons for the treatment of deaf people in today’s UK
Meltdown Festival
Johnny Marr
Royal Festival Hall
★★★
Musician, guitarist, songwriter, singer, NME godlike genius, Johnny Marr has many strings to his bow and at a memorable Meltdown gig sprinkles his 19-strong set with songs from his long, illustrious career.
Opening with The Tracers from 2018 album Call the Comet, Marr’s immediately into full throttle getting the best from his guitar while behind him the band keep the rhythm and beat. The audience is however appreciative rather than adoring.
Then, as Marr launches into the opening of The Smiths’ Bigmouth Strikes Again, they jump to their feet as if welcoming an old friend. It’s the first of seven Smiths tracks that pepper the night.
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MIK SABIERS enjoys the theatrical feminist six piece who have a lot of fun that the audience feeds off as the set rolls on
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