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Johnny Marr slams Donald Trump for playing The Smiths at a recent political rally
No, it wasn't 'Bigmouth Strikes Again'.
Legendary Manc musician Johnny Marr has gone viral on social media after he came out to condemn a recent Donald Trump rally after they chose to play The Smiths.
Nope, not having that — and neither is Johnny.
The Smiths guitarist and rock and roll icon was made aware of Trump’s campaign team using the band’s music after ABC political reporter Soorin Kimshar shared a video of the classic track, ‘Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want’, being played at a rally in Rapid City, South Dakota in September 2023.
Having replied to a post detailing that “the new addition to [Trump’s] pre-rally music is The Smiths” before he took the stage in Laconia, New Hampshire on Tuesday, 23 January, it turns out that Trump and his team have been using their music at political rallies for a while now.
Probably up there with one of the very last places on Earth you want to hear the art of Marr’s guitar lines, Morrissey‘s vocals, Andy Rourke’s bass and Mike Joyce’s drumming, the 60-year-old didn’t waste any time in flagging it.
Starting off by simply writing, “Ahh…right…OK.”, Marr went on to say: “I never in a million years would’ve thought this could come to pass. Consider this sh*t shut right down right now.
It remains unclear how the Ardwick-born songwriter is going about preventing Trump and co. from using The Smiths’ music in the future, he is by no means the only artist to have found himself in a similar situation, with Adele, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and even The Beatles doing similarly protesting.
Tom Petty and The Rolling Stones went so far as to issue the former President with cease and desists in an effort to have their music pulled — Marr could do the same — but in the case of Prince, for instance, Trump has reportedly continued to use his tracks on occasion despite the demands of his estate.
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We can always trust social media to come up with witty responses, even if they did take up all The Smiths puns; ‘hang the DJ’ came to mind immediately but sadly I always ‘Want the One I Can’t Have’…
Although Morrisey continues to be a divisive figure, even managing to ruffle feathers when people were paying tribute to the late Sinéad O’Connor, Marr has remained equally outspoken against right-wing politicians, even telling David Cameron he was ‘forbidden’ to like The Smiths.
Safe to say we’re happy to limit playing the The Smiths in headphones, pubs and car radios in future.
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Featured Image — Man Alive! (via Flickr)/Michael Candelori (via Flickr)
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Role Model adds Manchester arena show to world tour after huge demand
Daisy Jackson
Platinum-certified singer-songwriter Role Model has just added a huge Manchester gig to his upcoming world tour.
The star – real name Tucker Pillsbury – had previously only added one single UK date to his Chuck on Tour tour, and that was down in London.
But now Role Model is officially heading north, announcing a massive gig at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The news follows a sold-out run of dates last year, which brought him to the (much smaller) O2 Apollo here.
His star really rose after the release and viral success of his 2025 single, ‘Sally, When the Wine Runs Out’.
And now with a third studio album to his name – Chuck Timely & The Hourglass – Role Model is ready to return to Manchester and London on his 2026-2027 global tour.
The tour will travel across North America before heading overseas, with dates across Europe early next year.
Keni Titus will support Role Model at all dates on the UK and European leg of the Chuck on Tour tour.
Role Model will perform at the AO Arena in Manchester on Sunday 28 February, with pre-sales available on 4 and 5 November before general release tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday 6 November – grab yours HERE.
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Featured image: Publicity picture
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Pop icons S Club announce new arena tour, with huge Manchester gig
Daisy Jackson
S Club will be heading back to Manchester on a newly-announced 13-date arena tour next year.
The pop icons have announced the Ain’t No Party Like A S Club Party tour, which will see Bradley, Jo, Jon, Rachel and Tina back on stage for the ultimate pop party.
The huge tour includes a night at the AO Arena in Manchester, as well as two gigs at the O2 in London.
S Club are one of Britain’s most successful pop groups, formerly known as S Club 7, who went on to become a cultural phenomenon with their own TV series – one of which, L.A. 7, remains the highest-rated programme of all time on CBBC.
Their smash hits include Reach, Don’t Stop Movin, Bring It All Back, Never Had A Dream Come True, and S Club Party.
In 2023, S Club celebrated their 25th anniversary with a sellout UK and US tour, shortly after the tragic death of former member Paul Cattermole.
Now, five of the original seven are ready to bring the party back to Manchester, as S Club return to the stage.
They’ll have very special guests supporting on the tour too, announcing Boyzlife, the supergroup made up of the former Boyzone and Westlife members Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden.
S Club say: “We can’t wait to get back out on tour, see you all and celebrate the songs, memories and moments we’ve shared together over the years.
“It’s going to be one BIG party, and we want you all to be part of it!”
S Club will play the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 9 October 2027.
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 6 November HERE.
S Club UK tour dates in full
- Fri 08 Oct 27 Glasgow OVO Hydro
- Sat 09 Oct 27 Manchester AO Arena
- Tue 12 Oct 27 Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
- Wed 13 Oct 27 Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
- Thu 14 Oct 27 Cardiff Utilita Arena
- Sat 16 Oct 27 London The O2 MATINEE
- Sat 16 Oct 27 London The O2 EVENING
- Wed 20 Oct 27 Leeds First Direct Arena
- Thu 21 Oct 27 Birmingham Utilita Arena
- Fri 22 Oct 27 Sheffield Utilita Arena
- Sat 23 Oct 27 Newcastle Utilita Arena
- Tue 25 Oct 27 Belfast SSE Arena
- Tue 26 Oct 27 Dublin 3Arena
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Featured image: Luke Dyson
Danny Jones -
24th January 2024 
