As luck would have it Johnny Marr's Healers played a secret gig yesterday, May 25th, at Lancaster University's student club 'The Sugarhouse'. While John Squire AND Johnny Marr were rumoured to play together, it wasn't until 11:30pm that Marr, with his new band, began with their opening song 'Bangin on'. The six member band, including the bassist from Kula Shaker and Ringo Starr's son as drummer, performed for just over an hour. The set list was as follows:

Bangin On
Last Ride
Here it Comes
Caught Up
Down on the Corner
Get me Wrong
Coming On
Need it
Another Day
I Need Somebody
Just a Fool

Unfortunately the venue did not lend well to the louder guitar ensemble of the band. Many who were unfamiliar with the band, or its singer, probably assumed that it was an Oasis spin-off. And indeed it may have seemed that way, given Marr's cropped Gallagher-esque hair and his thin-framed glasses. But for those of us with a trained ear, the sound and lyrics gave a completely different impression. Harmonicas, quick funk and slide guitar riffs definitely confirmed that it was Marr, perhaps now trying out something completely different.

Nevertheless, the crowd loved the energy of the band. Marr only responded with a few 'thank yous' and 'cheers'. He seemed very pleased with the show. While speaking with him after the gig, he mentioned that the band's album is due (in the UK) sometime in the summer. Everything else can be found on his website: www.jmarr.com

Cheers!

Brad and Ryan

Update (5/26): nme.com also has a report on this show (link from jmarr.com):

MARR-VELLOUS!

JOHNNY MARR and his new band HEALERS made their live debut at a secret gig at the SUGAR HOUSE in Lancaster last night (May 25), nme.com can reveal.

As a warm-up to this weekend's official unveiling at the Coventry Colloseum (May 27), Marr and his band played an hour-and-a-quarter set of completely new material with the former Smiths guitarist on vocal duty throughout.

Members of Marr's band included ex-Kula Shaker bassist Alonso Bevan, Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey, a percussionist named Liz Bonney and a keyboard player called Lee Spencer.

Punters who turned up at the venue expecting a regular indie disco discovered a change in the evening’s plan when Marr announced from the stage: "We're Healers if you didn't know already, and this is our first gig."

Rumours had earlier gone round town that the evening’s secret gig was to be from resurgent Norwegian popsters A-ha.

A spokesperson for Marr said the band enjoyed the show and thought they were sounding great.