WORDS WILL MAXWELL / IMAGES BILLY SEAGRAVE
Over the course of 90 minutes, we will be treated to solo material, classics from The Smiths and of course some controversial outbursts. 2300 hardcore Morrissey devotees are packed into this grand, historic venue.
The Mancunian maverick takes to the stage and bows to the crowd, sings a few lines from home town favourite Cilla Black’s “Work is a Four Letter Word” before launching into Smiths classic “How Soon is Now?” To be able to start the set with such an iconic song shows the strength of his back catalogue.
“Suedehead” and “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before” are next, after which he says he’s very happy to be back in this city, “I don’t know if the feelings mutual”. It obviously is as the Moz diehards lap up every minute and hang on his every word.
“This one isn’t about anyone you know if it helps” he quips before “Frankly, Mr Shankly”, whilst the big screen shows legendary Liverpool FC manager Bill Shankly and Kevin Keegan.
He’s on top form in-between songs. “I’ve seen many graves of famous people from Liverpool. Ken Dodd, Billy Fury, Cilla Black, Edwina Curry…what do you mean, she’s not dead?!” he says to laughs and boos, then sighs “Well hopefully soon, hopefully soon. Fingers crossed.” Big Mouth does indeed strike again.
Following “Our Frank” we’re quizzed about our feelings towards some political figures. “Fishy” Sunak and Sadiq Khan are met with boos, whilst Volodymyr Zelenskyy gets a mixed reaction. “You got two and a half out of three, which is not very impressive”. I’m not sure which way he wanted us to go on Zelenskyy and I feel better off not knowing. Morrissey’s current political leanings are at odds with much of his fanbase, with many left grappling with the idea of separating the art from the artist.
The backing band are literally in the background for most of the night, but he does introduce them before Half A Person. Jesse Tobias (guitar), Carmen Vandenberg (guitar), Juan Galeano Toro (bass), Brendan Buckley (drums) Camila Grey (keyboard) are unable to grasp much of the limelight but do a sterling job throughout.
‘Bonfire of Teenagers’ is the title track to what should have been Morrissey’s 14th studio album. Capitol Records own the rights to the album but are refusing to release it after his departure from the label. The song is about the Manchester Arena bombing, with lyrics referencing the Oasis anthem which many adopted after the tragedy “And the silly people sing Don’t Look Back in Anger, I can assure you I will look back in anger until the day I die”. It’s an uncomfortable song and I suspect that is the intention.
In a long-standing tradition, several fans try and some succeed to get on stage to try and touch their hero during ‘Everyday Is Like Sunday’. One person manages to get a hug that is met with huge cheers whilst one over-exuberant fan almost drags him to the ground in a tussle with security. He doesn’t sing the final minute or so of the song, parading the stage whilst he recomposes himself.
The always emotional ‘Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want’ and fan favourite ‘Speedway’ finish off the set, before an encore of ‘Irish Blood, English Heart’ gives the stage invaders one last opportunity. This time the security staff are well prepared and maybe too heavy-handed, scurrying around the stage and preventing most from getting on. He takes off his shirt and throws it into the crowd and with little fanfare, leaves the stage.
Morrissey was at his mesmerising best, a true performer that keeps you on your toes throughout. He almost looked like he enjoyed himself too, but I can assure you the pleasure, the privilege was ours.
Setlist
1/ How Soon Is Now?
2/ Suedehead
3/ Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before
4/ I Wish You Lonely
5/ Frankly, Mr Shankly
6/ I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
7/ Girlfriend In a Coma
8/ Our Frank
9/ Knockabout World
10/ Sure Enough, The Telephone Rings
11/ Half a Person
12/ My Hurling Days Are Done
13/ Bonfire of Teenagers
14/ Everyday Is Like Sunday
15/ The Loop
16/ Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
17/ Speedway
18/ Irish Blood, English Heart
FOLLOW MORRISSEY
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
