Morrissey Proves His Audience Isn't Going Anywhere at a Sold-Out O2 Show

When Morrissey comes out displaying a mixed bouquet of flowers in his waistband, you know it’s going to be an enjoyable evening. Donning a pink shirt, a pair of Maracas and a sense of humour, he was on top form. 

On Saturday 28th February I had the pleasure of seeing Morrissey for the 5th time. Back at the O2 Arena since his last show there in November 2014, Saturday was a sold out performance, to a mere 17,500 people, indicating that his fan base shows absolutely no sign of dwindling anytime soon. 

The crowd was a juxtaposition of people who were old enough to see the launch of Morrissey’s solo career in 1988 and people who were barely a glint in their mother’s eye. Myself included. I always find it fascinating the young following that Morrissey attracts. I became a fan of the Smiths around the age of fourteen. Their music spoke to me on an entirely deeper level than any music I’d heard before. It was clear to see that this still rings true with people younger than myself. It is evident that the work of the Smiths and Morrissey is still as influential on the young audience as it was 30 and 40 years ago. 

Starting us off with ‘Billy Budd’ from the 1994 album ‘Vauxhall and I’, the crowd begins to bop heads and jump about. I think it’s a great choice of song to start and gives a sharp injection of Morrissey’s upbeat capabilities straight away. Amongst all the head bopping and attempts to dance you do get the odd chancer who sticks an elbow into your back in the grand hopes that they’ll get to the front and touch Morrissey’s hand, even though the barrier is fiercely protected by all the people who had travelled across the world to camp outside the legendary venue in the days prior. The urge to turn around and mime the words ‘Never happening’ is real.

We were quickly launched into his new material off the back of a quick spin of ‘Suedehead’. Perhaps a slight feeling of disappointment in his choice to perform four songs from his new unreleased album ‘Make-up is a Lie’ which was then released in the UK 6 days later on 6th March. I think performing maybe two of the released singles would’ve been enough to draw people into purchasing a copy of the new album. However we were given performances of ‘Notre-Dame’, ‘Make-Up is a Lie’, ‘Amazona’ and ‘The Monsters of Pig Alley’. 

The evening rolled on and in between songs, we got some words from the man himself. As a Morrissey fan it is sometimes hard to separate yourself from his controversial ramblings and his beautiful music. However, I think he handled the O2 well, a small dig at the ‘Jealous bitches’ who linger over his career but other than that his words were mild. He had the crowd giggling at the mental image of him giving birth to the new album after six and a half years of pregnancy, in reference to his new deal with Sire Records following a long period of being without a record label since his last album release ‘I Am Not a Dog on a Chain’ in 2020 through the label BMG. 

Towards the end of the set we were given a beautiful piano solo from Camila Grey, which I think was a nice touch to fill the Morrissey void whilst he was off changing his shirt. This was then followed by ‘How Soon Is Now?’ which arguably is one of the most iconic and well recognised songs of the Smiths and is also evident in the crowd’s reaction after the first few chords. We also got a treat in the form of a few other Smith’s classics such as ‘A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours’, ‘I Know It’s Over’ and a parting gift in the form of an encore of ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out’. 

I left feeling quite disappointed overall at the setlist, which was heavily focused on showing off the new album. I feel that he could’ve been more accommodating to the wider audience by using this as an opportunity to perform a few more classics such as ‘First of the Gang to Die’ or even ‘Alma Matters’ would’ve sufficed. But it was not to be. 

Overall Morrissey delivered us a beautiful night, with good energy and enthusiasm. But I do feel that the night could’ve been even better with a stronger setlist.

Many people have questioned over previous years when Morrissey will call it a day. With further albums in the pipeline and still attracting a hefty audience, it doesn’t look like he’ll be stopping anytime soon.

Amy Hamilton
Contributor, BritRock Heaven