Lousy NME with their sensationalist headlines: Smiths reunion in Manchester! Members of the legendary band to play together Smiths pair Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke are to reunite onstage for the first time since the band split in 1987. The pair will appear together at Lancastrian super-gig Manchester Vs Cancer, tickets for which are set to go on sale next week. The show, featuring a host of Manchester legends, takes place at the MEN Arena on January 28, and is being organised by Andy Rourke to raise funds for the city's Christie Hospital. Rourke and Marr, along with New Order, Badly Drawn Boy, Doves, Mani and Stephen Fretwell are all appearing, with more acts expected to be announced soon. Speaking about his involvement in the evening, Marr said: "Andy and I go back a long way, since our school days. We have been hanging out and seeing each other and he told me about this project. I literally applauded him and said I wanted to get involved with it if he needed any help. It's a privilege to be part of it as I am aware of the work that Christie does. "It's not the easiest thing getting something like this together because it needs to be done on a fairly big scale to have any significance so I think Andy is really brave. But who would refuse his offer to get involved? I mean, who could refuse it? You can't unless you are out of the country on tour. I made sure I was around and I'm looking forward to it - it will be a good night." He added: "It's going to be interesting. We might even get a version of 'Blue Monday' on the kazoo." Tickets for the bash will go on sale at 10am on December 17, for more information go to