Adored by many, a questionable conundrum to others, Steven Patrick Morrissey’s non-musical activities have attracted more notice than his musical output over the past few years. However, there’s a new album on the way and the devoted are here to bear witness to their imperfect idol on his first Brighton concert in four years and the final show of an overall well-received UK tour. Read our review of that last Brighton show here.
In place of a support act we are treated to a show reel of musical icons. There are few performers who would sequence Sex Pistols, followed by Andy Williams delivering an appropriately downbeat rendition of ‘Danny Boy’ then an early Ramones track followed by Kenneth Williams on a loop saying “Morrissey is a revelation,” but the musical choices are spot on and fade out as the band and the star of the show file onto the stage.
For the final show of the UK tour, there’s a change to the setlist and the evening proper commences with ‘We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful’ after Morrissey proclaims “let the music play”. His voice is strong and there’s some mock choking on the “Ha Ha Ha” lines. During ‘Our Frank’ some gifts are thrown onstage which are carefully examined then cast back into the crowd.
The instantly recognisable guitar shimmer that introduces ‘How Soon Is Now?’ sees the fans’ arms outstretched and the band expertly recreate that iconic Smiths sound. Morrissey announces that he rarely gets out of the house before the excellent “First Of The Gang To Die’ is delivered with panache.
The self-deprecating chat between songs continues as he informs us that “there are very few important moments in life for me but many for you” before the first new song of the evening ‘Sure Enough, The Telephone Rings’ with a chugging guitar riff and the repeated line “tell the little kids they live in Hell now”. The forthcoming single ‘I Am Veronica’ and the country-tinged ‘The Loop’ follow and the quote of the evening comes as Morrissey announces “it’s impossibly hot. If I faint, don’t resuscitate, this is my big chance”.
Throughout the show the backdrop has displayed projections of iconic faces from Bruce Lee to Diana Dors but it changes to blood red for Morrissey’s ballad about the Manchester Arena bombing. ‘Bonfire Of Teenagers’ is probably well-intentioned but the repeated line “go easy on the killer” didn’t sit too comfortably given the comments he recently made about the perpetrator.
A piano instrumental of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ comes before ‘Everyday Is Like Sunday’ and a successful stage invasion where the security-dodging fan was rewarded with a hug. Smiths fans, of which there were many judging by the number of faded T-shirts being proudly worn, were treated to ‘Half A Person’ and ‘Never Had No One Ever’ with Morrissey hugging the mic like the bonafide crooner he’s comfortably grown into.
The set ends with ‘Jack The Ripper’ and Morrissey is a silhouette amongst the red lighting, strobes and smoke that enveloped the stage. The shirt comes off and is thrown into the crowd as the band exits. There’s a short gap before the encore and Morrissey returns in an Ena Sharples T-shirt which, after an electrifying ‘Sweet And Tender Hooligan’, is also removed and becomes a treasured souvenir for someone.
Given his past proclamations it’s no surprise people can’t forgive him his transgressions, but musically he remains a talented performer and was a joy to watch. It’s clear he retains a loyal fanbase but only time will tell if he can reconnect with those that have abandoned him.
Brighton Centre, Friday 14th October 2022
