Johnny Marr

Thursday, May 2 Johnny Marr @ Irving Plaza
With the release of Johnny Marr’s first true solo album, The Messenger, the alt-rock guitar icon sounds as though he’s finally rediscovered his interest in the jangly, dynamic passion plays he pioneered with the Smiths. And while the record undeniably lacks the tempestuous Shakespearean drama his former foil Morrissey brought to that band, it evokes the essence of Marr’s alma mater. The real treat is that he’s a capable enough singer in his own right, and in concert he’s been blending set lists with Messenger tracks and songs he recorded with the Smiths and his ’90s supergroup Electronic.

Thu., May 2, 7 p.m., 2013