A sold-out Apollo, people camping overnight in a rainy Ardwick to secure the best spot, it could only be the return of one of Manchester’s own to play a long-awaited homecoming gig.
Morrissey took to the stage with his band, foregoing a support act which was replaced by a thirty minute video of classic punk mixed with some easy-listening classics to warm up the crowd. Most notably God Save The Queen by the Sex Pistols garnered a favorable reaction from the hoards of fans, some of which had traveled hundreds of miles to see the notorious but charming (in his own unique way) crooner.
Graciously sauntering onto the stage to rapturous applause, Morrissey bowed then launched into The Smiths’ classic ‘How Soon is Now?’. This was followed by some of Morrissey’s finest including ‘ First of The Gang to Die’ and ‘Irish Blood English Heart’. Fresh from his residency in Las Vegas, Morrissey treated fans to tracks from his upcoming release ‘Bonfire of Teenagers’ which included the title track, a track that has caused a stir due to it being based on the 2017 tragedy at Manchester Arena.
“This song is new, it’s about England’s 9/11,” Obviously in jolly old England, most people won’t talk about it – but I will.”
This was later followed by another new track ‘Sure enough the telephone rings’ which is reminiscent of his ‘I am the quarry’ release, which is an upbeat track contrasting with a beautiful heartfelt version of ‘Please Please Please, Let Me Get What I Want’ before penultimately giving the crowd a rare performance of ‘Jack The Ripper’ a song Morrissey never recorded. He did play it in concert and included live cuts on various compilation albums. The song was first released on the B-side to Morrissey’s single “Certain People I Know.”
After a ninety-minute set, the Sage of Salford started as he finished with another Smiths classic ‘Sweet and Tender Hooligan’. It is clear that despite his controversy over the years, Mozza still draws in the crowds, who littered the stage throughout with flowers and outstretched hands. Morrissey continues his UK tour with dates at The London Palladium, before heading to Brighton to close what has been a very successfully run of dates.
