Skim through my concert bucket list and find Johnny Marr, most likely sitting between some random all-acoustic folk singer who last wrote a good song in the late Seventies and an Indie band that the NME tried to push to popularity in the mid-Noughties. A personal guitar hero and one of the few cool people to once be friends with Morrissey, Marr and his music carry this sort of indescribable presence. The intricacies of his genius fall into the seams of each song, whether that be his role as guitarist of The Smiths, as member of supergroup Electronic or amongst any one of the many musical collaborations Marr has added his musicianship to. And just over forty years later, he continues with impressive appeal, with his solo work declaring his ability to not be confined by the definition of what’s gone before.

A key part of his modern appeal is his live shows. A celebration of four decades worth of masterful musicality, his concerts pick it all apart. Look Out Live! captures this in whole through the recording of his concert at London’s Hammersmith Apollo in April 2024, allowing us to experience it all for ourselves.

Fading in from silence to murmur, crowds erupt at the indication the show is to begin. “Sensory Street,” a pick from Marr’s solo career, kicks it all off with the bounce of synths which are soon drowned out by bashful guitar riffs. Crystal clear, Marr’s vocals show no sign of wear, as the bustle of the crowd sits in the background, just enough to remind us of their appreciation. With energy set and anticipation at its peak, we’ve begun our journey without even having to leave the house.

Those iconic, churning chords of The Smiths’ “Panic,” follow, acting as our first diversion through a divisive career. As the crowd unite to reiterate the words Marr sing, everything starts pulling together. The energy of the play, the legacy of the music and the atmosphere built within the venue are all glimpsed simply through audio, and you wish you were there to witness every second of it.

Of Marr’s own offerings, “Generate! Generate,” “The Answer Live” and “Armatopia” shine the brightest of spotlights over Marr’s solo career, highlighting the palpable energy that his modern offerings can conjure. Each spurn these fast rushes of pace and enthusiasm, engulfing their surroundings to resounding joy from the crowd.

Brief fragments of nostalgia allow Marr to break out fan favourites such as “This Charming Man,” “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want,” and “How Soon is Now” to the warmest of receptions. All benefits from the raw calamity of a live performance showcase just how diverse his sound is. One moment we’re entering these angelic acoustic soundscapes whilst the next we’re met with crushing distortion with haste. An exhilarating whirlwind which works.

Neil Tennant joins proceedings, offering his vocals for a cover of Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel,” and Electronic’s “Getting Away With It,” with the latter being a personal highlight, excelling with brilliance when converted to live play with guitars.

More of The Smiths, an Iggy Pop cover and one final excursion to his solo career round off the evening and the album. And to tie off the whole thing, it all ends the way it started, with that hum and roar from the crowd, now no longer stood in anticipation but instead quite likely longing to return to seconds before to relive it all again.

Look Out Live! does exactly what a live album should do; it leaves you wishing you were there witnessing it all in person. The spirit of the venue and the people stood within its walls transfers through audio alone. The play of songs is superb. It’s slick, passionate, and never once leaves you disappointed. The sheer array of songs can turn anyone into a Johnny Marr fan. It captured what seemed to be a perfect night and celebration of one of the greats of British music.

Johnny Marr: Look Out Live! – Out 19 September 2025 (New Voodoo)