Win Tickets ($120): Johnny Marr, James @ Crystal Ballroom | Rock, Indie Pop
We are giving away a pair of tickets to Johnny Marr, James @ Crystal Ballroom on September 22. To win, comment below on this post why you’d like to attend. Winner will be drawn and emailed September 16.
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From our sponsors:
Johnny Marr
James
September 22, 2024
Doors 6PM, Show 730PM | ADV $55 -$65 | $60-$70 Doors | All Ages
More info: crystalballroompdx.com
Crystal Ballroom
1332 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
At the beginning of 2023, Johnny Marr had all sorts of plans, but marking anniversaries hadn’t figured among them. Fresh from a succession of rapturously received shows with The Killers, Johnny had already started to gather songs for his fifth album – a successor to 2022’s acclaimed double LP Fever Dreams Pts 1-4. It was his manager who pointed out that he had now been a solo artist for ten years, a stretch of time comfortably in excess of his tenures in The Smiths, Electronic, The The, The Pretenders, Modest Mouse or The Cribs. And although, Marr’s storied life in music isn’t short of milestones – 2010 Inspiration Award at the Ivor Novellos, an Oscar nomination for his work with Hans Zimmer on Inception; and, lest we forget, an NME Godlike Genius Award in 2013 – he hadn’t stopped to consider that the passing of an entire decade might be significant.
The full measure of this extraordinarily fertile period is captured on Spirit Power: The Best Of Johnny Marr, a major new collection curated by Marr encompassing songs from his four top ten solo albums, a scattering of stand-alone singles and two incendiary new cuts, Somewhere and The Answer. Spirit Power presents a composite portrait of an artist with no less a complete ideology than the celebrated co-travellers who inspired him along the way. It’s a body of work that mirrors Marr’s unquenchable life force, his love of melody and the urge to resist what he calls the “strummy, age-appropriate transition into mid-tempo middle age.” He elaborates: “It’s a conversation I have from time to time with [Pet Shop Boys’] Chris Lowe, about how much harder it is to write songs that you want to listen to in the daytime. It’s easier to do something that’s perceived as cool if it’s a bit moody. But, for me, the mission with these records was to make songs that you could listen to on the way to school, on the way to the gym, on the way back from work – you know, in the way that you had with, say, Blondie.”
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Frankly, you should select me to win these tix!
I would love to see this incredible pairing!
I never saw the Psych Furs 40 years ago when they were on heavy rotation on my turntable. This would make me so happy to finally see them!
Weird combo… but we’d love to see it!
love them both
Last time Johnny Marr played Portland I was all revived up to go when I received a job offer at the last minute. My orientation was the night of the show! I’m originally from the UK and been as I was new to the States I didn’t want to miss out on the job. I’d love to finally see him over here! I have had the opportunity to see James before and I know they put in a great show. It’ll be such a great night!
Would love to see this legend
Omg, this would be a dream for me!
One more time, plz
Johnny is daddy.
I can think of no greater wedding present to share with my fiance than tickets to see BOTH James and The Great Johnny Marr. Would be so grateful. <3
I’m totally free that night.
This guys gold! I love all the stuff he’s done in each band as well as solo stuff.
Gotta see this charming man!
I would love to see the legendary Johnny Marr in concert. I had tickets to see him before but unfortunately I got sick and missed the show. Winning these tickets would make up for missing that show plus The Crystal Ballroom would be an awesome venue to see him in.
What a team up! I’m in. Long time fan of both.
I have been a fan of James since 1992 and never had the chance to see them perform live. And Johnny Marr is extremely talented! The perfect pairing at an excellent venue. I would be over the moon if I won tickets!
I’m clearing my schedule for this show! I’d love to win tickets!
The curated cuts celebrated melody/conversation. Listen, records know!
Please pick me for the free tickets because I want to marry Johnny Marr and this will be a chance to ask for his hand in marriage!
Love it!
I haven’t seems James in years. I would love to see this lineup at the crystal.Ballroom. Thanks!
I LOVE both Johnny Marr (seen him w/The Smiths, The The, The Pretenders…and when he lived in PDX w/Modest Mouse…but not in years…AND, I love James – think singer Tim Booth might be the ideal “replacement” for Morrissey IF these folks pair up for that purpose. This is going to be an epic show 🙂
Johnny F-ing Marr!
Legend!
Johnny Marr…so incredibly underrated for the impact his guitar has had, would love to catch him live!
He keeps calling me back again.
Yes, please! Thanks
PICK ME!
I’ve been wanting to see James for 30 years now.
I’m too poor to buy tickets but I already gave James all my 💰 so least they can do is let me see this show for freez!
How amazing would this be?!?
Um, Johnny Marr? Yes, please. Right from my era/taste. Whoever wins will be one lucky couple. Hope it’s me!
Oh, how much would I love to be able to hear Johnny play my favorite ” How soon is now “!!!!!
One of my favorite guitarists, Johnny! Dream to see and hear him and James!
Johnny Marr has played on everything I listen to ( almost). I’d love to see this incredible talent. I’ve never had the opportunity before.
I would love to go to the show! Thank you for considering me.
Johnny far outshined Morrissey post Smiths and James is a totally underrated brit pop band
Love Johnny Marr!! And love the support he has given to Jesse Malin in his time of need!!
I absolutely love James!!! It was cool to watch footage of them at Glastonbury this year and to see that they’re still as entertaining as ever. Pick me!
I really want to see johnny Marr! My brother is visiting the and it would be a great birthday present for him!
Feeling lucky, might delete later
My 🍓 burns
I would love to go!!
Would love to see James
Johnny Marr is a great guitar player and this would be a fun concert
This guy is on fire with passionate love (for James since 1992!). Yes to Johnny and James, please.
Love to see them, winning tickets!
let’s gooooo! i’m ready for it.
Johnny Marr’s music essentially saved my life. Would be fantastic to finally catch him live.
I need to see this show to prove to my 19-year old self that the last few decades were worth living through.
Now a local Portland resident, we’re so lucky to have Johnny Marr playing live at the Crystal Ballroom.
I would simply love it!
I never saw the Psych Furs 40 years ago when they were on heavy rotation on my turntable. This would make me so happy to finally see them!
Oh! Bring me back to my misspent youth!!
Oh, to see Johnny Marr along with another fave, James! Yes, please!
Oh yes!
The next best thing to The Smiths
I refuse ANY suggestion that I am ready for “mid-tempo middle age!” Johnny Marr is neither on that list or any other “suggestion” that talent mellows with age! Tix to Mr. Marr please!
Morrisey who? Johnny is the man!