A 12-year-old from Manchester has won the inaugural Johnny Marr Award from the Salford Foundation Trust. Get in there, lad.
Salford schoolkid, John Denton, has played the guitar since the age of eight and has been developing his skills ever since, busking on the rainy streets of the city centre and even playing gigs at Salford Lads Club.
Now the aspiring teen has been presented with a prestigious honour by one of his musical heroes, as the foundation dished out their first-ever Johnny Marr Award to the dedicated young performer.
Having met the legendary Smiths guitarist and songwriter previously at a signing of his last album, Fever Dreams Pts 1-4, where he asked his idol for advice about starting a band, we dare say this latest development is up there with one of the highlights of his career so far.
I’m pleased to be announcing John Denton as the winner of the @TheSalfordTrust ‘Johnny Marr Award’. It’s a privilege to be supporting a dedicated young musician. Well done John. pic.twitter.com/HoYXIY0IVY
Issuing a message of support on the Salford Foundation’s website, Marr said: “It’s a pleasure and privilege to give some assistance to a young musician especially when they’re as dedicated as John. Well done brother.”
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John has been delighting the streets of Salford and Manchester city centre for some time now and regularly pulls in sizeable crowds with his covers of songs by popular local bands — The Smiths being one of them.
With videos of his performances often being shared online and regularly gaining thousands of views across various social media platforms, he has already started to build a passionate following.
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Come rain or shine, he still belts it out all the same:
The Johnny Marr Award is chosen by a panel made up of members from the trust which supports talented young people in the city. The scheme will run for three years, selecting another young musician from Salford each year for financial assistance, each of whom will be awarded £1,000.
Peter Collins CBE, from the Salford Foundation Trust, said: “There couldn’t be a more worthy recipient of the Johnny Marr Award. Even though John is only 12 he’s already proven he’s committed to making a future in music and we’re delighted the Trust can give him a helping hand on this journey.”
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John has said he will be putting the funds towards more singing and guitar lessons and future music projects, as well as hopefully levelling up his performances.
Better still, after his first chat with Marr, John has since formed his own band called, The Height – named after an area in Salford near where he lives – and the group released their first single, ‘Go’ just before Christmas. Well in, boys.
John’s dad Phil said of his son’s award: “John’s ambition is to have a career in music. He will be using the funding to have music lessons to help both his guitar playing and his singing. In these tough times, it’s a massive help and means that he can progress in his passion.
“Music is not a hobby for John but just who he is and a creative outlet he hopes to enjoy for the rest of his life. He is incredibly grateful to Johnny and the Salford Foundation Trust who have provided this opportunity.
“It is a real privilege to get this award and he is determined to make the very most of the opportunity he has been given.”
Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester following the well-earned recognition, Denton told John Sweeney that after having started out asking cafes to let him play, “it’s going great now” and that he has another gig lined up in March.
“Not being big-headed but we hope to be like Johnny Marr and go on tour and get a big following.”
We wish you and your band every success, John — go out there and keep killing it.
We are absolutely loving how much this city is doing for its wonderful pool artists at the minute.
Featured Image — Johnny Marr (via Instagram/Twitter)
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Popstars icons Hear’Say and Liberty X announce huge reunion arena tour
Daisy Jackson
Iconic 00s pop groups Hear’Say and Liberty X have announced a joint reunion tour, visiting arenas right across the UK including here in Manchester.
The stars of the groundbreaking reality talent show Popstars are heading out on a 13-date arena tour, performing together for the first time ever.
As part of the tour, Hear’Say and Liberty X will be performing at the AO Arena in Manchester, along with venues in cities like Leeds, Newcastle, London, and Liverpool.
Both bands burst onto the music scene 25 years ago as the winners and runners-up of Popstars, a show which paved the way for reality TV-formed bands like One Direction, Little Mix, Girls Aloud, and JLS.
Now for the first time, Hear’Say and Liberty X are heading out on a joint tour, ‘Popstars: The Originals’.
They’ll be performing all their hits to a combined audience of more than 150,000 fans.
Reuniting on stage will be four original Hear’Say members – Danny Foster, Kym Marsh, Suzanne Shaw and Noel Sullivan.
The band went straight to number one after winning Popstars, with their smash hit Pure and Simple, while their debut album Popstars reached triple-Platinum status.
Meanwhile Liberty X will have their entire original line-up of Michelle Heaton, Jessica Taylor, Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm and Kelli Young.
They finished as runners-up but had a glittering pop music career, with hits like Just A Little, Got To Have Your Love, and Being Nobody.
Hear’Say comment: “Coming back together after 25 years is something that’s incredibly special to all of us. It’s a chance to celebrate an unforgettable chapter in our lives, reconnect with each other and relive so many amazing memories.
“To be sharing the stage with Liberty X makes this celebration even more special, and it feels like the perfect way to mark such an incredible milestone.
“We are so excited to be celebrating with everyone and honestly can’t wait to reconnect with the Hear’say fans. To relive those amazing memories together and create some new ones along the way is going to be very special.
“We are counting down the days and can’t wait to see you there.”
Liberty X add, “It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since Popstars changed all of our lives. We are thrilled to be heading out on tour with Hear’Say to celebrate where it all began.
“It feels like the perfect way to mark such an incredible milestone, bringing the music, the memories and all the energy back to the stage.
“Most of all, we can’t wait to celebrate with all of you. Whether you’ve been with us since day one or you’re discovering these songs all over again, we can’t wait to sing, dance and make some brand new memories together. See you on tour!”
Popstars: The Originals tour with Hear’Say and Liberty X will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on 8 May 2027.
Tickets will go on sale via pre-sale from 9am on Wednesday 14 October, before remaining tickets go on general sale from 9am on Friday 16 October HERE.
Popstars: The Originals tour with Hear’Say and Liberty X – 2027 tour dates in full
Wigan band The Lathums announce five gigs at five intimate Manchester venues
Daisy Jackson
The Lathums have announced five intimate shows at some of the most iconic grassroots venues in Manchester.
The huge Wigan band will be taking it back to their roots and performing at some of the venues that ‘helped them get started’, from super-intimate bars to legendary small venues.
The Lathums have announced the five-night tour in Manchester in celebration of the fifth anniversary of their chart-topping debut album, How Beautiful Life Can Be.
They’ll be playing to small crowds at Night & Day, Deaf Institute, Gorilla, New Century, and the O2 Ritz next spring.
At each of the five gigs they’ll perform their debut album in full along with other fan favourites from their impress back catalogue.
How Beautiful Life Can Be went straight to number one on the UK official charts on its release in 2021, with top songs like ‘Oh My Love’, ‘How Beautiful Life Can Be’, and ‘I’ll Get By’.
Danny Jones -
1st February 2023 
