Few bands have had an impact as seismic as the Smiths and few musicians are held in as high esteem as the great Johnny Marr. The Smiths revolutionised alternative music during five towering years in the 80s. Marr’s jangly inventive guitar playing, Morrissey’s oblique English realist lyricism and the deep nostalgia of their art hit a million right notes and resonated in a way that hadn’t been seen since the Pistols and punk. Whilst Morrissey has been happy to become a recalcitrant Las Vegas dinosaur and revel in super celebrity, Marr has continued to work with some of the coolest artists in music including Electronic, Modest Mouse and the Cribs. New autobiography ‘Set The Boy Free’ is an honest and frank appraisal of a life so far and it will be fascinating to see Marr discussing the book and its contents with John Robb. Ticket price includes a copy of the book.

Fri 9 Dec 8pm at Town Hall, Victoria Square, Birmingham B3 3DQ £23 www.thsh.co.uk/