Johnny Marr Announces New Album and 2025 World Tour Featuring Classic Lineup and Unreleased Tracks
Manchester, October 18, 2024 – Legendary guitarist Johnny Marr has officially announced an upcoming album and a world tour set for 2025, featuring a classic lineup and a collection of previously unreleased tracks. Marr, best known for his groundbreaking work with The Smiths, brings together an anticipated group of seasoned collaborators to deliver new music and celebrate his career spanning over four decades.
The new album, titled Shadowplay, is Marr’s first full-length release since 2022’s Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 and promises to blend his distinctive guitar riffs with a fresh, contemporary sound. Known for crafting emotive, jangly guitar lines that defined British alternative music in the 1980s, Marr is keen to take fans on a journey that nods to his past while showcasing his musical evolution. “This album is about finding a new voice while celebrating what brought me here,” Marr said in a recent interview. “The tracks explore ideas of resilience and change—subjects that feel more relevant now than ever.”
Adding to the excitement, Marr’s 2025 tour will feature his “classic lineup,” including former bandmates from his solo touring groups over the years. This lineup, which fans affectionately dubbed “The Healers,” will include bassist Iwan Gronow and drummer Jack Mitchell. Marr has also enlisted additional musicians for a fuller live experience, with plans to showcase intricate layers of guitar work and synth textures that fans have come to adore.
The world tour, aptly named the Shadowplay Tour, will kick off in February in the UK, with dates planned across Europe, North America, Japan, and Australia. The setlist is expected to be a mix of new tracks from Shadowplay as well as unreleased songs that Marr has quietly crafted over the years. In addition, Marr confirmed that fans can look forward to reimagined versions of The Smiths’ classics and selections from his collaborations with other artists, including Electronic and Modest Mouse.
Tickets for the Shadowplay Tour go on sale next week, with presales available for fans who register on Marr’s website. Given the fervent response to past tours, demand is expected to be high.
Johnny Marr’s announcement has already created buzz among music aficionados, who are eager to see what the new album and tour will bring. With a classic lineup, unreleased songs, and a reputation as one of rock’s most innovative guitarists, Marr’s Shadowplay and its world tour promise to be a memorable chapter in his storied career.
