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As the world comes to grips with the horrific terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert Monday night (May 22) at Manchester Arena, various tributes are pouring in around the globe. Last night during the Red Sox game against Texas, Fenway Park DJ TJ Connelly provided subtle, but recognizable, respect, filling the packed stadium with the familiar sounds of the English city’s rich musical heritage.
Without saying a word, Connelly paid tribute to a city like only an inspired DJ can, offering up between innings and play stoppages music by New Order, Oasis, The Smiths, Happy Mondays, Buzzcocks, Joy Division, The Stone Roses, Monaco, The Charlatans, Inspiral Carpets, and others.
For one night, Fenway Park was an indie club night.
Connelly, the subject of our very first Vanyaland feature story, detailed his tribute set via @senatorjohn as the game progressed. He opened with one of the greatest one hit wonders in music history, “The Promise” by When In Rome, before throwing back several decades for The Hollies’ “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress).” From there, Connelly went for that classic Manchester sound that still resonates today.
As fans noticed the Manchester trend, Connelly even had the good sense to shoot down an ill-timed request for “Panic” by The Smiths. “Hard nope,” he tweeted back.
Here’s what he played:
welcome back y’all; pregame @fenwaypark: When In Rome, “The Promise”; The Hollies, “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)” #SoxDJ
— TJ Connelly (@senatorjohn) May 23, 2017
first inning @fenwaypark: New Order, “Regret” #SoxDJ
— TJ Connelly (@senatorjohn) May 23, 2017
second inning @fenwaypark: Happy Mondays, “24 Hour Party People” #SoxDJ
— TJ Connelly (@senatorjohn) May 23, 2017
third inning @fenwaypark: Joy Division, “Transmission” #SoxDJ
— TJ Connelly (@senatorjohn) May 23, 2017
third inning @fenwaypark: The Smiths, “Shoplifters Of The World Unite” #SoxDJ
— TJ Connelly (@senatorjohn) May 24, 2017
fourth inning @fenwaypark : Oasis, “Morning Glory” #SoxDJ
— TJ Connelly (@senatorjohn) May 24, 2017
fifth inning @fenwaypark: The Charlatans, “The Only One I Know” #SoxDJ
— TJ Connelly (@senatorjohn) May 24, 2017
fifth inning @fenwaypark: Mint Royale, “From Rusholme With Love” #SoxDJ
— TJ Connelly (@senatorjohn) May 24, 2017
pitching change @fenwaypark: Inspiral Carpets, “Two Worlds Collide” and Buzzcocks, “Ever Fallen In Love?” #SoxDJ
— TJ Connelly (@senatorjohn) May 24, 2017
sixth inning @fenwaypark: Monaco, “What Do You Want From Me?” #SoxDJ
— TJ Connelly (@senatorjohn) May 24, 2017
seventh inning @fenwaypark: The Stone Roses, “Fools Gold” #SoxDJ
— TJ Connelly (@senatorjohn) May 24, 2017
Even people not at the game, either watching on NESN or following Connelly on Twitter, quickly caught on…
Watching the Sox game on NESN, and I can hear @senatorjohn playing “How Soon is Now” during a long review. Well done. #Manchester #SoxDJ
— Chris Cocozella (@cokes311) May 24, 2017
Sounds like the Fenway Park PA staff are playing all Manchester bands between innings tonight. Nice.
— MovementBritpopClub (@movementbritpop) May 24, 2017
Well played.