Morrissey claims Marr ignored Smiths reunion offer
Morrissey has claimed that ex-bandmate and songwriting partner Johnny Marr “ignored” a recent offer by AEG to reunite The Smiths for a global tour.
The seminal Manchester band – Morrissey, Marr, bassist Andy Rourke, who died last year, and drummer Mike Joyce –split up in 1987 and have never reformed.
Morrissey, 65, pursued a successful solo career following the group’s disbandment, while 60-year-old guitar virtuoso Marr had stints as a member of the Pretenders, The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse and The Cribs before eventually going solo.
In a post on his website featuring a classic photo of the two of them together, Morrissey wrote: “In June 2024 AEG Entertainment Group made a lucrative offer to both Morrissey and Marr to tour worldwide as ‘The Smiths’ throughout 2025. Morrissey said Yes to the offer; Marr ignored the offer.
“Morrissey undertakes a largely sold out tour of the USA in November. Marr continues to tour as a special guest to New Order.”
In a 2022 interview, Marr said there was “zero chance” of him ever working with Morrissey again
Marr and AEG have been approached for comment. However, in a 2022 interview with BBC Radio 2, Marr said there was “zero chance” of him ever working with Morrissey again, adding that it had been “18 or maybe 15” years since he had last spoken to the frontman in person.
His comments followed another website post from Morrissey asking Marr to stop mentioning his name in interviews.
Speaking in 2012, Goldenvoice boss Paul Tollett said that Coachella “try every year” to book the band, despite them turning down a $5 million offer from the festival.
The talk comes days after fellow Manchester legends Oasis announced they are reuniting for the first time since 2009 for a series of huge shows next summer.
Revisit IQ‘s article on the music’s biggest reunion tours here.
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Former Smiths agent Mike Hinc dies aged 70
Former agent Mike Hinc, whose client roster included the likes of The Smiths, Morrissey, Primal Scream, The Birthday Party, and The Sisters of Mercy, has died at home in France. He was 70.
Fiercely proud of his father’s Polish ancestry, Hinc studied Sociology and English literature at Bedford College, University of London, before finding himself a job at the Roundhouse as head of security. He next moved to the Institute of Contemporary Arts, where he launched the legendary ICA Rock Week programme.
In 1981, he joined Rough Trade Agency, which under his leadership evolved into All Trade Booking a few years later. He subsequently went on to co-head Cloud Music Agency with Richard Cowley.
Always interested in art, Hinc studied for his MA degree at Hertfordshire University, where he also lectured on the music industry. Upon his retirement as an agent, he became an accomplished artist and split his time between Ware in Hertfordshire, England, and France, where, in 2003, he relocated to the city of Carcassonne, where he also cared for his ailing mother until her death a year ago.
Despite enjoying a successful new career as an artist, Hinc also continued to represent The Sisters of Mercy as their agent.
“Mike was grizzly, curmudgeonly, but most of all cuddly”
“Mike was grizzly, curmudgeonly, but most of all cuddly,” says long time friend Eric Longley, former MD of Factory Records. “He was always a gentleman and when Morrissey’s new management advised a change of agents, his response summed him
up: ‘If that’s what Morrissey wants, that’s what he should have.’ To be fair, Morrissey was equally gentlemanly and both acted very professionally toward each other.”
Upon learning of Hinc’s death, Morrissey wrote, “Mike was The Smiths live booking agent… very funny and very irreverent in the spirit of the Blenheim Crescent age. He was also very intelligent whilst being next to incomprehensible… which was perfect for the exciting psychic disorder of Rough Trade.
“Along with Geoff Travis, Scott Piering, Jo Slee, Martha DeFor, Richard Boon and Pat Bellis, he worked very hard for the Smiths from the very beginning, and his cramped All Trade hut within the record label was a hideaway sanctum of busy blackboards and choking cigarette smoke. He was much admired by John Peel and John Walters, and this certainly helped the Smiths to move quickly. I was thankful then, and I’m thankful now.”
Hinc is survived by his brother David, and half sister, Anna.
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Morrissey, Blondie to head up new Goldenvoice fest
The inaugural edition of Cruel World festival is taking place in Los Angeles this May, marking the newest addition to the Goldenvoice portfolio.
Morrissey, Blondie, Bauhaus, Devo, Echo and the Bunnymen and the Psychedelic Furs are among acts performing at the one-day event on 2 May at the Grounds at Dignity Health Sports Park (27,000-cap.), LA.
Promoted by AEG’s Goldenvoice, Cruel World adds to the organiser’s stable of California festivals, which includes Coachella, this year headlined by Travis Scott, Frank Ocean and Rage Against the Machine, and country music event Stagecoach Festival.
Goldenvoice also operates multiple venues in Los Angeles and the Bay Area and promotes over 1,400 concerts a year in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada, in addition to recently promoting a number of North American tours, including dates by K-pop stars Blackpink.
Tickets for Cruel World festival go on sale on Friday 14 February at midday pacific time, with the presale beginning the day before. Prices start from US$135.
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