Morrissey is back on the road, for a tour comprising a handful of shows in the UK and Ireland before heading to Europe for a further 21 dates. Tonight is the second of these shows and the first of two sell out gigs at the old O2 Academy in Glasgow. The venue, once a cinema and latterly a bingo hall would be packed to the rafters with fans ready to welcome the iconic frontman back to the city. ‘It’s great to be back in The Gorbals’ Morrissey proclaimed between songs, to a huge cheer of appreciation from the crowd.
There is no support tonight, other than a video backdrop playing old tunes from bygone days, including Sham 69 and The Ramones amongst others. But at precisely twenty minutes to nine, the lights dim and Morrissey and his band take to the stage, and the roof lifts a few inches higher than the architects planned all those years ago thanks to the couple of thousand who made the trip to the southside of Glasgow and their deafening roar.
With no new music to promote, these shows are nothing more than a night of live tunes, some old and some more recent, some from The Smiths but most from his solo work. Opening track was the stormer All You Need is Me from the 2009 album Years of Refusal, which set the tone for the evening. You’re the One For Me, Fatty got the crowd singing along before the first venture of the set list diving into the Smiths back catalogue, How Soon is Now? The classic from the bands second album Hatful of Hollow, one simply has to ask one’s self was that really 40 years ago???
More big hitters from Morrissey’s solo catalogue continued. One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell, Black Cloud, Bonfire of Teenagers and the classic Everyday is Like Sunday, the singers second solo single from 1988. More from The Smiths archive, Shoplifters of the World allowed the crowd another special cheer of approval.
Dressed smartly in dark jeans, black shirt and grey blazer, Morrissey looks as sharp as a tack, with song lyrics, gruff demeanour and a voice to suit. Scandinavia, Sure Enough, the Telephone Rings, Jack the Ripper and I Will See You in Far-Off Places ended the first set, before a five-minute breather. A two-song encore of a third and final Smiths track Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me and Irish Blood, English Heart from his 2004 record You Are the Quarry ended the show. Morrissey and his band left the stage to a standing ovation, and cheers that will ring in the ears of everyone in the venue until the wee small hours. Had he decided to play every song from his career, some would still demand more at the end!
Fans of The Smiths would follow in their droves to Morrissey gigs and, on this showing, it’s hard to argue why they shouldn’t. The baritone voice and lyrics laced with dark humour, tales of teenage angst and anti-establishment jibes are trademark Morrissey. The music as a vehicle carries the message across perfectly and there’s always a message! This was a top night by a top performer on top form. ‘I am human and I need to be loved’ he once sang. Don’t worry Mr Morrissey, you most definitely are.
Review & Photographs by Stephen Wilson
