Johnny Marr of Smiths Manchester Academy live on stage playing fender guitar England UK 2013 12-10-2013

Johnny Marr performs live at Manchester Academy in Manchester, England, on 12 October 2013, singing into a stage microphone while playing a white Fender Jaguar electric guitar. The influential guitarist, songwriter and former member of The Smiths wears a vivid blue velvet jacket decorated with badges as he leads his solo band beneath purple stage lighting. A drummer plays behind him, while guitar amplifiers, cables, microphones and other touring equipment fill the performance area. The concert took place during the first year of Marr’s established solo career following the release of his debut solo album, The Messenger, in February 2013. His live shows combined material from that record with selected songs associated with The Smiths and other parts of his extensive musical career. Marr’s chiming, melodic guitar style was central to the sound of The Smiths, the highly influential Manchester group he formed with Morrissey in 1982, and it helped shape generations of indie and alternative rock musicians. The white offset-body instrument visible in the photograph is a Fender Jaguar, a model strongly associated with Marr and adapted to suit his distinctive playing style. He is shown both singing and playing, capturing the transition from celebrated sideman and collaborator to frontman of his own band. The low audience viewpoint, bright spotlighting and strong blue, white and purple colours give the image the immediacy of a live rock performance. Manchester Academy is a major concert venue on the University of Manchester campus on Oxford Road. The photograph documents Manchester’s enduring music culture and a hometown appearance by one of the city’s best-known guitarists. It is suitable for editorial coverage of Johnny Marr, The Smiths, British indie music, Fender guitars, concert photography, touring musicians, Manchester music heritage, live entertainment and popular culture.