Salford residents became one of the first to hear the album ‘Makeup Is A Lie’ by famous singer-songwriter Morrissey.
The listening party event was hosted at the iconic Salford Lads and Girls Club, famously known for its connection to Morrissey and The Smiths, after it appeared inside the vinyl for hit album The Queen Is Dead.
Fans were among the first to hear the new album in its entirety, after being welcomed with drinks available, free merchandise and a raffle contest.
Morrissey has kept in touch and has donated over the last 40 years to help secure the venue’s future, after it became one of the most iconic landmarks for the band,
Bury record and coffee shop Wax And Beans were approached by Morrissey for this event and made an immediate decision to host it at the legendary club.
Ben Soothill, organiser of listening party and owner of Wax and Beans, told us: “It’s that one iconic picture that’s taken outside, it’s just become synonymous with great British music culture.
“It’s incredible, really. There’s a friend of mine from Germany and he’s a massive Morrissey and The Smiths fan. He comes from Germany and does a tour every single year. He sees the same room, same pictures on the wall, because he’s that passionate.”
Fans of the Manchester artist gathered round outside the venue excited to hear the new album, set to release officially on the 6th of March. The event was sold out with three different time slots available.
Everyone had the opportunity to nose around the building and take a long look into The Smiths room dedicated to memorabilia of the band. The album was well received by all attendees as they sat down to listen to the highly anticipated album. It was a successful celebration for Salford residents to revel in their local band.
Daniella, Social media officer at Salford Lads Club explained that: “Even though Salford Lads Club existed 60 years before The Smiths, in the last 40 years, we’ve really been intertwined in our histories. That’s because of the photo shoot that took place in December 1985 by the photographer Stephen Wright.
“And it was Morrissey’s idea himself to have the photoshoot for ‘The Queen is Dead’ outside Salford Lads Club as a homage to industrial working-class culture in Manchester, also namely his passion for Sheila Delaney, the playwright who wrote ‘A Taste Of Honey’.
“People all over the world have listened to that album and stared at that image and we are now synonymous with The Smiths.”
“I think it’s the simplicity, because you see the sign, and you see the space, and there’s no other context in the image, you have no knowledge of what the club is, but that sign is so striking. It’s memorable.”
Long time fans of the band, Nadine and John told us: “The Smiths were my growing up band. I’m most excited to just be in The Smiths’ room!”
Salford Lads and Girls club are proud to be a part of events like this and hold opportunities for local fans to express their love for ultimate icons from their own city.
Tony Kinsela, volunteer at Salford Lads and Girls Club, told us that: “I’ve been involved here since 1971, before The Smiths. I remember watching them on Top of the Pops years ago and thinking, wow, Manchester had the best band on tonight.”
Morrissey is scheduled to release his 14th solo studio album, Make-Up Is A Lie, on 6 March 2026 through Sire/Warner Records. This marks his first studio release in six years since 2020’s I Am Not a Dog on a Chain.
If you are interested in seeing what other events Salford Lads and Girls Club or Wax and Beans are holding, their information is available here:
