DS Show Review and Galleries: Johnny Marr and James at Riviera Theatre. Chicago (10.17.2024)

Johnny Marr co-founded The Smiths with Morrissey in 1982 in Manchester, England. The two were songwriting partners, and though the band was active for five years, it left behind a massive legacy.

Marr will also leave a formidable legacy as a solo artist. This was apparent by his performance at “The Riv” on a mild Thursday evening. He spent much of the time at the edge of the stage and sprinkled in some light bantering with fans.

His searing guitar playing, with extended solos, was searing but not ostentatious. It was non-verbal poetry.

The set list was pretty well-balanced between The Smiths tunes and Marr’s solo work. Among the latter: Marr performed, “Panic,” with a bit disdainful glee as he sang the lyrics “hang the dj,” over and over again. With a mischievous grin Marr informed the audience “We don’t do freedom rock in England, we do the opposite,” before launching into a spirited version of “This Charming Man.” “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want,” was gently pleading and poignant.

Marr kicked off the show with a lively rendition of “Armotopia” and was mesmerizing with “Spirit, Power, and Soul.” There was also a cheeky version of Electronic’s “Getting Away with It.” Electronic is one of Marr’s bands, with the other members being Bernard Sumner from New Order and The Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant. The tune is a sly, though unsubtle, roasting of Morrissey’s perceived melancholy posturing.

“I’ve been walking in the rain just to get wet on purpose
I’ve been forcing myself not to forget just to feel worse
I’ve been getting away with it all my life
(Getting away)“

Marr ended the evening with a two-song encore. The first was an exuberant cover of Iggy Pop’s “The Passenger.” He was joined by James’ frontman Tim Booth, with Booth handling lead vocals.

Finally, “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’ was also a duet of sorts. Or rather a call and response as Marr sang the eponymous lyrics and turned the microphone so the very enthusiastic crowd could sing the same words.

But the very first words of that tune perfectly fit the mood,

“Take me out tonight
Where there’s music and there’s people“

It was a great night for both.

Marr’s fellow Mancunians in James were transcendent. Singer Tim Booth, clad in a loose white shirt with flowing blue pants, was alternatively in perpetual motion during some songs, sinuously dancing about the stage, or in meditative stillness during others. Oftentimes times both modes during the same song. Booth uttlerly captivated those in attendance whilst leading his incredibly talented bandmates through an amazing set which included “Out to Get You,” “Stay,”and “Mobile God.”

This set includes the heart-rending “Moving On.” Booth recalled to the audience how being able to be with his mother as she passed away was a beautiful experience. It’s a subject he’s touched on numerous times in interviews, describing death as a sort of rebirth. The song, along with its official music video, is in equal measure full of sorrow and peaceful catharsis:

“I’m on my way
Soon be moving on my way
Leave a little light on
Leave a little light on.”

Booth’s performance reached greater heights during “Getting Away With It (All Messed Up).” Quite literally, as he scaled the wall stage right, climbing into the first opera box to momentarily sing and dance with fans seated there. He then moved on up to the second and third opera boxes, doing the same before finishing up on the balcony. It was a little nervewracking to see the singer standing partially on the edges of these areas. Indeed, Booth could be seen testing the railing, checking for possible looseness, of the first opera box before committing to the move. Thankfully, sometimes with the help of fans who often but not always held his hand during these moments, he made it down back to the stage safely.

And though the tune’s name is similar to that of the aforementioned Electronic song, it is quite different.

“We’re getting away with it
All messed up
Getting away with it
All messed up
That’s the living.”

James finished out its set with a rousing rendition of its biggest international hit “Laid.” The infectious beat, the wonderous falsetto, and the sometimes relatable lyrics (if not literally, but in spirit) all combine to make it so good. The song’s narrator acknowledges a toxic relationship, and his inability to leave is confirmed in its closing moments.

“You’re driving me crazy
When are you coming home?“

The song was a massive hit when first released in 1993. It later became known to a certain demographic as the theme song to the American Pie movie franchise.

And in 2024, it was again sent out into the public conscience for new fans to be created. SPOILER ALERT (but it has been out for many months so come on…) In one of the final scenes in the season 3 finale of the critically acclaimed and award-winning Chicago set television show, The Bear, the song is blasted during a party in which the characters dance together joyously. Yes, I did mean to use the word joyously when describing a scene from The Bear.

The comments from the official video posting on Youtube are further testimony to the the power of movies, shows, and social media to bring beloved songs to whole new generations. Or remind those of us who immediately loved it why we still do and always will.