Andy Burnham Jams The Smiths Song With Ukrainian Soldier During Kyiv Visit

Andy Burnham played a song by The Smiths on guitar with a Ukrainian soldier while visiting Kyiv. You can watch the moment below.

Burnham is making his first trip to Ukraine since becoming Prime Minister. Yesterday, Monday August 24, he visited the country’s military and artistic unit, whose members perform for people on the front lines, inside hospitals and at rehabilitation centres.

During a tour of the unit’s mobile recording studio, a soldier passed Burnham a guitar. He then started playing the riff from ‘Rusholme Ruffians’, taken from the group’s celebrated 1985 album ‘Meat Is Murder’.

“I’m out of practice, a little bit,” the Prime Minister admitted as he played. He later explained: “It’s a song by a Manchester band called The Smiths.”

The soldiers also performed a song by Oasis for Burnham, according to the Independent.

During the trip, Burnham spoke about the value of music and said it can help “lift spirits” among those serving on the front line. Watch the moment below.

Burnham has frequently discussed his passion for music, especially artists connected to Manchester. He previously received approval from Oasis to feature their hit ‘Some Might Say’ in a campaign video for a by election.

In 2021, the MP also mentioned The Courteeners during his speech celebrating his Greater Manchester mayoral election victory. Quoting ‘Not Nineteen Forever’, he told those gathered: “God bless the band. If you know, you know…”

Last month, Burnham arranged several of his favourite groups in order, naming The Smiths, Oasis and Wolf Alice among his selections.

Close to the time Burnham moved into 10 Downing Street, the government introduced a new ‘Music Plan’. The initiative was created to increase its growth funding by £15million, bringing the overall amount to £45million.

MPs claimed the programme would support more than 40,000 musicians and companies, alongside 2,000 projects and millions of young people across a three year period. It is hoped the investment will open more opportunities in music for people from working class communities.

Burnham has regularly shown his support for independent music venues. He has also endorsed proposals for a £1 charge on tickets for concerts held at arenas and larger locations, with the money directed toward emerging performers and smaller venues.

The Prime Minister is now facing calls to reduce the costly obstacles created by the touring situation after Brexit. He is also being urged to strengthen protections around AI related copyright exemptions and fulfil the government’s earlier commitment to prohibit ticket touting.

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, musicians from Massive Attack and The Cure singer Robert Smith are among those who have recently urged Burnham and the British government to prevent the planned construction of the disputed Rosebank oil field in the North Sea.