Johnny Marr to Be Honoured at Tonight’s Sky Arts Awards

Johnny Marr is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sky Arts Awards tonight (13.10.26).

Alongside accepting the award, the former Smiths guitarist will perform for guests at the ceremony, which takes place at London's Roundhouse.

The award recognises his contributions to the iconic Manchester band as well as his achievements as a solo artist, with six albums reaching the UK Top 10.

The honour comes after a busy 2026, which saw him play the biggest headline show of his career at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl.

Later this month, Marr will release a special 10th anniversary edition of his memoir, Set the Boy Free.

He has also continued to work with a wide range of artists in recent years, collaborating with Gorillaz, Billie Eilish, Franz Ferdinand and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, while also contributing to the HELP(2) charity album.

The ceremony will be presented by Sir Grayson Perry and Rebecca Lucy Taylor, better known as Self Esteem. The pair will kick off the evening with a joint performance, before Self Esteem returns to close the show.

Rising singer-songwriter Victor Ray, who has attracted a large international following with songs including Comfortable, Stay for a While and It Only Cost Everything, will perform alongside English National Ballet dancer Jakob Wheway Hughes in a special one-off collaboration.

Saxophonist Jess Gillam MBE will also take to the stage as part of the event, having recently embarked on her UK SHINE tour.

The Orchestral Qawwali Project, led by composer Rushil Ranjan and vocalist Abi Sampa, will bring its unique blend of Sufi poetry, dance and orchestral music to the Roundhouse. The performance will also feature choreographer Aakash Odedra, with musicians from leading UK orchestras taking part.

Scottish tenor Nicky Spence OBE will join writer and broadcaster Reverend Richard Coles and the London Gay Men’s Chorus for a special performance, bringing the evening's celebration of artistic talent across the UK to a close.

The Sky Arts Awards 2026 will air on Sky Arts and Freeview, as well as streaming platform NOW, tonight (12.10.26) at 9pm.