Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Morrissey is one durable guy. Forever associated with The Smiths, it’s crazy to think that they were only active for five years until their implosion in 1987, and the former frontman has been going at it alone ever since, releasing his debut Viva Hate in 1988 and racking up 13 solo albums since. A 14th and a 15th, titled Bonfire of Teenagers and You’re Right, It’s Time respectively, are allegedly complete and awaiting release too, though it remains to be seen when those will see the light of day.
Morrissey is no stranger to making the news, but this week, with the story that he’s looking to sell off his business interests in The Smiths, you do worry if that will equate to the end of Smiths songs in his live shows. It’s the opening night of the North American tour too, so nothing to compare against online either to allay those fears…
Thankfully, those fears are obliterated with the first notes, as the iconic “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” opens the show, apparently its first airing since 2017 (thanks to whoever figured that out on setlist.fm). There’s surely not many better ways to open a show than that. Place Bell continues to be spoiled, as “Suedehead” immediately follows, one of the signature songs of his solo career for sure, and the room roars as that intricate intro riff ignites. Could this start possibly get any better?
Yes it could. “How Soon Is Now?” arrives next, and the crowd noise goes up another notch at that distorted reverb riff, with another deafening singalong carrying through to an extended percussion breakdown at the outro. Honestly, it’s hard to remember a better three-song start to a show than this in a long while.
All in all, we get six Smiths songs in total, and those are certainly the ones that get the crowd onto their feet (if they weren’t already on them). The selection is pretty diverse, from more recognisable songs like “Shoplifters of the World Unite” and encore song “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me,” to deeper cuts like the lounge jazz of “I Know It’s Over” and “Half a Person,” which elicits laughs around the room every time Morrissey asks, “Do you have a vacancy / For a back-scrubber?!” None go unnoticed, that’s for sure, and it’s a testament to a band that existed for only five years, way back in the ’80s, that they are still so beloved.
Of his solo records, I’ve personally always loved 2004’s You Are The Quarry the most, so I’m absolutely thrilled that the set includes four offerings from that. “First of the Gang to Die” and “Irish Blood, English Heart” are absolutely storming; if there was a pit, I feel sure it would be bouncing. “Let Me Kiss You” is a ballad at the opposite end of the spectrum and a total goose-bumper. I remember seeing him tour this record in Liverpool at the time, and the songs hit me just as powerfully tonight as they did back then.
The 95 minutes race by; all killer, no filler, as Sum 41 once said. “Alma Matters” is timeless, its melody still flawless, while “Everyday Is Like Sunday” is every bit the stadium anthem worthy of the cavernous Place Bell. A sea of twinkling phone lights and strobes greet the menacing “Life Is a Pigsty,” while the soaring guitars of “I Will See You in Far-Off Places” make for an apocalyptic end to the main set.
Honestly, from the moment Morrissey arrives on stage waving a bunch of flowers like he used to in the ’80s, to the moment he tears off his shirt and throws it into the crowd as he leaves the stage for good, it’s a perfect evening. Morrissey had joked mid-set, “The lesson is I’m worth seeing at least once!” Four times for me now, and counting — I’ll be back.
Setlist
- There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
- Suedehead
- How Soon Is Now?
- Alma Matters
- Lost
- Jack the Ripper
- Shoplifters of the World Unite
- Everyday Is Like Sunday
- The Loop
- Life Is a Pigsty
- All the Lazy Dykes
- Half a Person
- First of the Gang to Die
- I Know It’s Over
- Let Me Kiss You
- Irish Blood, English Heart
- I Will See You in Far-Off Places
Encore
- Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
Review – Simon Williams
Photo – Getty
