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Johnny Marr to Get Sky Arts Lifetime Award

Johnny Marr will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at tonight's Sky Arts Awards 2026, a nod to his songwriting legacy and lasting influence on British music. The ceremony, broadcast live from London's Roundhouse, will include a special live performance from Marr and a lineup of guest performers.

Marr first made his name as guitarist and co-founder of The Smiths, becoming one of British music's most influential songwriters. His solo career has brought six UK Top 10 albums, the most recent being The Age Of Everything. The award follows a huge year that included his biggest solo headline show yet at Manchester's Castlefield Bowl, and it arrives ahead of the 10th anniversary release of his autobiography, Set the Boy Free. He has also recorded recently with Gorillaz, Billie Eilish, Franz Ferdinand and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.

The evening opens with a joint performance by co-hosts Sir Grayson Perry and Rebecca Lucy Taylor (Self Esteem), and Self Esteem will also close the show with a musical set. Breakout singer-songwriter Victor Ray will team up with English National Ballet dancer Jakob Wheway Hughes, while award-winning saxophonist Jess Gillam MBE performs during her ongoing UK tour.

Other highlights in the broadcast include The Orchestral Qawwali Project – with members of the CBSO, Manchester Camerata and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – alongside vocalist Abi Sampa and choreographer Aakash Odedra. Scottish tenor Nicky Spence OBE will also take the stage, joined by Reverend Richard Coles and the London Gay Men's Chorus.

Commissioned by Sky and hosted with DRUM Studios, the Sky Arts Awards celebrate outstanding British talent in classical music, comedy, dance, film, literature, opera, poetry, popular music, television, theatre and visual arts. The ceremony airs tonight at 9pm on Sky Arts, Freeview and NOW.

Photo: Music-News
Source: Muzland
Added by Frank
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