Johnny Marr wearing Stone Island – back stage in the dressing room, after Electronic’s appearance at Cities in the Park, Manchester, 1991.
Johnny Marr’s appearance with Electronic at the Cities in the Park concert in 1990 was a moment of immense significance for Manchester’s music scene, a convergence of legendary talent that brought together elements of indie, electronic, and alternative rock in a way that felt ahead of its time. The festival, which took place in Heaton Park, Manchester, was a celebration of the city’s burgeoning music scene, and Johnny Marr’s performance with Electronic was one of the highlights of the event.
Electronic was a collaborative project formed by Johnny Marr, the former guitarist of The Smiths, and Bernard Sumner, the frontman of New Order. The duo had begun working together in the late ’80s, blending their iconic sounds into a new electronic-tinged direction that was a far cry from their previous bands’ roots. The band’s self-titled debut album, released in 1991, showcased a unique fusion of electronic music, guitar-driven rock, and melancholy pop, creating an infectious, experimental sound that set them apart from other acts of the time.
Marr’s appearance with Electronic at Cities in the Park came just as the band was beginning to make waves. While New Order and The Smiths were both integral to the evolution of Manchester’s post-punk and indie scenes, *Electronic* represented a bold step forward into the world of synthesisers, dance rhythms, and electronic textures. Johnny Marr, who had long been revered for his jangly, melodic guitar work, added a new layer of depth to *Electronic’s* sound with his distinctive guitar playing, creating a balance between the machine-driven beats and his fluid, emotive playing.
At Cities in the Park, Marr’s live performance with Electronic was a revelation for many fans who knew him as a stalwart of indie guitar music. He was no longer the shy, introspective guitarist from The Smiths but a key part of a groundbreaking new electronic project that was embracing the future. His dynamic stage presence, combined with Sumner’s familiar New Order style, created a captivating live experience that blurred the lines between rock and electronic music. Their set at the festival was a precursor to the ’90s’ growing interest in dance culture and electronic music, making the performance feel like a bridge between Manchester’s musical past and its future.
The Cities in the Park festival itself was a fitting stage for this new direction. Manchester had already earned a reputation for being the birthplace of the Madchester scene, with bands like The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays shaping the city’s musical identity. But Electronic, with its blend of guitars and synthesisers, pointed toward a different kind of future—a fusion of indie authenticity and cutting-edge dance music. The performance was not only a highlight for fans of Marr and Sumner but also for the burgeoning electronic music community that was starting to find its voice in Manchester.
For those lucky enough to be there, Johnny Marr’s appearance with Electronic at Cities in the Park was more than just a live performance—it was a moment that encapsulated the spirit of innovation and experimentation that defined Manchester’s music scene in the late ’80s and early ’90s. It was a sign that the city’s legacy was not just about looking back to its post-punk roots but also about embracing new sounds and pushing musical boundaries in unexpected and exciting directions.
Cities in the Park was Electronic’s first live British gig.
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