Live Review: Morrissey @ Hammersmith Apollo, London (20/09/2015)

 

With the exception of a few one off shows, Morrissey fans were delighted to see him on his first UK tour since 2011 back in March of this year. I don’t think anybody thought that they’d be lucky enough to be given the opportunity to see him in the UK again in September. Though playing just four dates, Morrissey announced shows in Plymouth, Hull and a two night residency at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. Just a few nights before London, Morrissey himself released a statement labeling the London dates likely to be his last in the UK due to his lack of a record deal.

With the lights outside displaying his name, Morrissey kicked the first London show off in style with his first solo hit ‘Suedehead’; his voice sounded strong and he appeared to be in a fantastic mood as he shook hands with the crowd and swung his microphone cable around in style. The show got off to a strong start with ‘Suedehead’ being followed by ‘Alma Matters’ and ‘Speedway’. Interestingly enough, during the dramatic pause to the music during ‘Speedway’, the lights went out, showcasing how the band had all traded places when they lit the stage back up again. Morrissey stood behind the keyboard with a tambourine looking proudly at his band as keyboardist/percussionist Gustavo Manzur took centre stage, singing the remainder of the song in Spanish. Next was ‘Ganglord’ which was accompanied by a video showcasing Police Brutality; a video that was perhaps equally as shocking as the intense animal cruelty video Morrissey is known to show to accompany cult Smiths track ‘Meat Is Murder’, which Morrissey played later in the show.

With the exception of ‘Years Of Refusal’ tracks ‘I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris’ and ‘Mama Lay Softly on the Riverbed’, and ‘The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores’, the set list then focused on tracks from Morrissey’s latest album; the 2014 released ‘World Peace Is None Of Your Business’. Though this was not to the displeasure of the crowd who sang every word; ‘Staircase at the University’, ‘Kiss Me A Lot’ and ‘The Bullfighter Dies’ in particular received a fantastic reaction. ‘The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores’ also received a fantastic response, complimenting not only a backdrop of Prince William and Kate Middleton with the line ‘United King-dumb’, but a Morrissey rant regarding the Elections; “are you happy?” he asked the vocal crowd.

Morrissey’s voice went from strength to strength for the duration of the night, appearing particularly strong and impressive during the slower paced ‘Obo Concerto’ from ‘World Peace Is None Of Your Business’; a track that slightly echoes ‘Death of a Disco Dancer’ from the final Smiths album ‘Strangeways, Here We Come’.

All in all the set list was quite a random choice of tracks –  though including The Smiths, Morrissey has been in the music business for over twenty years and has a lot of tracks behind him! In particular for me, it was wonderful to hear the beautiful B-Side ‘Yes, I Am Blind’ that was featured on ‘Bona Drag’ and the addictive ‘I Will See You In Far Off Places’ from ‘Ringleader Of The Tormenters’. Though he has enough songs to not repeat any during an entire tour, it’s always pleasant to hear Morrissey sing a cover – a great example being Lou Reed’s ‘Satellite of Love’ from his 2011 tour, which was remarkable. Morrissey treated the Hammersmith Apollo to a cover of Elvis Presley’s ‘You’ll Be Gone’, though unfortunately as he was telling the crowd of his passion for the track, there was a power cut. Morrissey and his band left the stage, returning a few minutes later to chants of his name, with Morrissey wittily stepping up to the microphone to tell the crowd how it was a conspiracy and that Buckingham Palace were after him, before playing the phenomenal crowd favourite ‘Everyday Is Like Sunday’.

Morrissey and the band ended the night on a high with Smiths track ‘What She Said’ (complete with ‘Rubber Ring’ outro), driving the crowd wild. Though the London shows were allegedly his last, you can never really be sure with Morrissey, and if they sadly were, then the first London night was an outstanding last show to see. Viva Moz.

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