The NAMM Show 2025 news: Marshall Amps to return after hiatus

Marshall, the company behind some of the most famous amps in rock history, announced its return to NAMM, the US trade show for the music industry, following a five-year absence.

Marshall Group CEO Jeremy de Maillard said the decision to attend next January’s show was an opportunity for the company to celebrate its much-loved amplifiers and to introduce them to a new generation of music lovers.

“Marshall amps have earned a special place in music history and we’re excited about connecting with our fans and customers at this globally important event,” de Maillard said. “We have some great plans for showcasing the best that Marshall has to offer in hand-built amps while introducing several new products to the Marshall portfolio.”

Marshall will be taking to the main floor to showcase and demo new products, host Q&A's and artist signings and, most importantly, have space for people to try the amps. Endorsers and ambassadors will be on hand to demonstrate what Marshall amps means to them while a specially constructed ‘Tone Sanctuary’, an invite only space, will allow artists to experience several new products that will be launched later in the year and beyond.

NAMM, which kicks off on Jan. 21 in Anaheim, California, holds a special place in Marshall folklore. It was at NAMM that Jim Marshall, who founded the company together with his son Terry, whose pioneering use of amplification technology earned him the nickname ‘the Father of Loud’, unveiled several of its iconic amplifiers including the JVM and The Studio series that have become industry shaping innovations.

“It’s wonderful to see us returning to NAMM to showcase our dedication to the amps business and for preserving the Marshall legacy for the next generation of musicians,” said Terry Marshall, Jim’s son and board member of Marshall Group.

Since it was founded in 1962, Marshall amps have shaped the sounds of icons and generations of guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Slash, Zakk Wylde, Jeff Beck, Lemmy, Kerry King, Biffy Clyro, Jim Root, Yngwie Malmsteen, Willow Smith, Kiki Wong, Bruce Springsteen, Nita Strauss, Lzzy Hale and Polyphia.

Marshall Group, the audio, technology, and design powerhouse that is uniting musicians and music lovers through genre-breaking innovation, believes building on Jim Marshall’s legacy is crucial to its success going forward.

“We know how important our amps are to the Marshall brand,” de Maillard said. "We see ourselves as custodians of a unique slice of music heritage and we are determined to protect it for the next 60 years. This is why we want to show up at NAMM - to support the community of guitarists and musicians and do it in a typically loud Marshall way.”

Marshall Group has invested heavily in its amps business since the group was created in March 2023 and is committed to increasing the development and production of amps at its historic Milton Keynes factory.

Marshall’s skilled workforce has benefited from Marshall Group’s investment in the business, which has seen them provided with new tools and equipment so they can continue delivering the finest hand-built amps in the world.

Underscoring its commitment to valve amps, Marshall launched the Studio JTM last year and it continues to expand the popular range.

In addition to its amplifiers, headphones and portable speakers, Marshall Group also owns Natal drums, a recording studio and a record label enabling it to equip today’s musicians in every step of their journey.

About Marshall

Marshall Group is the audio, tech and design powerhouse uniting musicians and music lovers through genre-breaking innovation. Marshall, our flagship brand, is uniquely positioned with over 60 years of rock ‘n’ roll attitude on stage, at home and on the go. Our iconic products are brought to life by a dedicated team of 800 passionate employees and sold in over 90 markets worldwide.

Visit group.marshall.com for more information.

The Jesus and Mary Chain, Psychedelic Furs concert review: Riverside, Calif.

The Psychedelic Furs and The Jesus and Mary Chain – Influential Eighties post-punk bands whose lineups both sport pairs of brothers as the lone original members – delivered powerful performances on Nov. 6 at Riverside, California’s Fox Theater.

This weekend, their co-headlining North American tour winds down with concerts scheduled Friday in San Diego (Rady Shell at Jacobs Park) and Los Angeles (YouTube Theater).

Last spring, Scotland’s The JAMC – led by Jim Reid (lead vocals) and William Reid (guitar) - released the compelling Glasgow Eyes, their first new studio album since 2017. It was followed by the siblings’ biography “Never Understood” and the recent single “Pop Seeds.”

Meanwhile, England’s The Psychedelic Furs, with singer Richard Butler and bassist Tim Butler have 2020’s Made of Rain, their solid, underrated first studio album in 29 years (!) to freshen up setlists.

The Psychedelic Furs’ 15-song, 70-minute set kicked off in haunting fashion with “The Boy Who Invented Rock and Roll,” off the Rain release. Then the band, comprising guitarists Rich Good and Richard Fortus, keyboardist Amanda Kramer, ace drummer Zack Alford, plus another guitarist, followed it with a dreamy, measured “The Ghost in You” to loud fan reaction.

Richard Butler gestured dramatically as he sang the U.S. hit with those trademark sandpaper vocals. Alford, a veteran of David Bowie and B-52’s tours, proved his mettle early with propulsive beats on “So Run Down” (from Talk Talk Talk). Longtime sax man Mars Williams, who died of cancer in 2023, was sorely missed here and elsewhere throughout the evening.

Both Butlers moved around the stage corners, with Richard often putting his arms around Tim and crouching down close to fans gathered in front. “All That Money Wants” (an alt-rock radio chart topper), emotionally resonant “Wrong Train” (a Rain winner where Richard finished a capella) and the billowy “Love My Way” were all highlights. The vaguely political Furs concert staple “President Gas” took on new meaning after a contentious American election surely divided fans.

Later, the denser original album version of “Pretty in Pink” was performed instead of the popular sax-infused remix found on the beloved movie soundtrack. The aggressive thrust of “Mr. Jones” proved exciting and “Heaven” closed things out on a stately note.

Initially shrouded in smoke and lit by green flashing lights, The Jesus and Mary Chain opened its 17-song, 70-minute performance with the sinister barrage of “Jamcod,” among three Glasgow Eyes tunes unveiled here. Jim Reid frequently doubled over while singing for dramatic effect.

William Reid, with his wild mane of white (or gray – hard to tell in dim lighting) hair was content to stay in the background on rhythm guitar and added the occasional shards of feedback noise. The touring band, anchored by drummer Justin Welch (Elastic, Lush, Suede) with backing vocals from guitarist Scott Von Ryper and bassist Mark Crozer sounded tight.

Longtime JAMC enthusiasts loudly roared with approval at the band’s popular cover of The Pixies’ “Head On,” its careening rock guitars as exciting as ever, the churning “Blues from a Gun” and Eighties era, reverb-drenched noise pop gems “Happy When it Rains,” “April Skies,” “Some Candy Talking” and “9 Million Rainy Days.”

Although both acts let their music do most of the taking, Jim Reid was unintentionally funny toward the end of the JAMC’s set when he said “this is how it is when we are enjoying ourselves.”

Opening act Frankie Rose, a former member of LA dream pop group Dum Dum Girls, joined the JAMC toward the end of its set on “Sometimes Always” and “Just Like Honey.”

The JAMC finished with the intense Stooges vibe of “Reverence,” with an extended intro. Fittingly, it concluded in a maelstrom of feedback.

Psychedelic Furs photo courtesy of the artist. The JAMC photo by Mel Butler.