With a full Smiths reunion seemingly more distant than ever, three former members – bassist Andy Rourke, drummer Mike Joyce and fleeting second guitarist Craig Gannon – are teaming up with Manchester Camerata orchestra for a series of concerts this summer under the banner ‘Classically Smiths‘.

Manchester Camerata previously provided the orchestral oomph for the Haçienda Classical concerts and played on New Order‘s Music Complete.

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Smiths songs due to be orchestrally reimagined for the shows include Hand in Glove, How Soon is Now?, There is a Light That Never Goes Out, The Boy With The Thorn In His Side, Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want, Shoplifters Of The World Unite, Girlfriend In A Coma and Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me.

Guest vocalists have yet to be revealed.

Three Classically Smiths concerts have been announced so far, with more to be unveiled soon:

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June 28 – Manchester O2 Academy
June 29 – London O2 Academy, Brixton
July 2 – Edinburgh Usher Hall

Tickets will be available here from January 26.

UPDATE: Andy Rourke has since denied involvement in the Classically Smiths project.

UPDATE: The Classically Smiths concerts have now been cancelled.

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