Johnny Marr on UK PM Playing The Smiths in Kyiv: "A Victory for the Guitar"
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham played The Smiths' 1985 track "Rusholme Ruffians," from the album Meat Is Murder, alongside a Ukrainian soldier during his first visit to Kyiv as prime minister. The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr responded to the moment in an interview with Absolute Radio, calling it "a victory for the guitar." According to NME, Burnham joked while playing that he was "a bit rusty" and explained to those present that the song was by The Smiths, a band from Manchester.
The Kyiv Visit and Marr's Reaction
Burnham's trip included a visit to a Ukrainian military arts unit whose members regularly perform at the front line, in hospitals, and at rehabilitation centers. Footage of the impromptu performance spread through UK media after it emerged.
Marr said he had "literally just been told about this in great detail" and called it "an amazing thing." He said he wasn't sure "proud" was quite the right word, but that it was probably close; he added that he was still processing it: "This could be a big deal, but all I can think is: how good is the guitar?"
Asked whether the moment underscored music's global importance, Marr agreed, adding "good on him." He also noted that given Ukraine's situation and the political weight of the moment, "the more I think about it, the smaller I feel in the whole thing."
Burnham's History With British Bands
Burnham, formerly mayor of Greater Manchester, has long been an outspoken Smiths fan. He has described the 1984 compilation Hatful Of Hollow as "the record that changed everything," and has repeatedly named it among his favorite albums, as reported by The Quietus. Last month, he ranked The Smiths alongside Oasis, Elbow, and Wolf Alice in a British bands blind-ranking project. Earlier this year, Oasis authorized him to use "Some Might Say" in a by-election campaign video.
Pressure on Music Industry Policy
Shortly after taking office, Burnham announced that music venues, nightclubs, and pubs in England would receive a 20% business rates discount next year, funded by a review of existing tax reliefs for businesses "like vape shops." The government also announced £45 million to support the music industry, businesses, and children's music education.
Separately, Radiohead's Thom Yorke, members of Massive Attack, and The Cure's Robert Smith are among 200 leading artists who signed a letter urging the Burnham government to block development of the Rosebank oil field in the North Sea. The industry has also called on the government to address post-Brexit touring cost barriers, tighten AI-related copyright exceptions, and follow through on promises to crack down on ticket touts.
In addition, Beyond The Music, the Manchester music festival co-founded by Burnham, confirmed its return in 2026 this past spring, and he will attend the October edition. On the issue of grassroots venues, he previously told NME he "fully supports" Coldplay's move to donate 10% of profits from their 2025 UK stadium tour to help smaller venues — a practice previously undertaken by Enter Shikari — while UK members of parliament have also suggested a £1 tiered levy on tickets for large venue and stadium shows.