MORRISSEY - LIVE REVIEW

MORRISSEY / BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY / 5TH OCTBER 2022

As if it’s our job to review Morrissey…AS IF! Morrissey, the man, the myth, the legend! 

Morrissey is the Marmite man… People either love him or hate him, there are very few in-between and that’s because Morrissey has opinions and isn’t afraid to state them, he has a platform and uses it to speak out about things he believes in, and in our mind, whether you agree or disagree with his opinion, you have to appreciate the openness, honesty and let’s face it - balls, to just come out and say exactly what you think. 

Longevity and continuing to be appropriate as a longstanding musician is a rarity, having been on the music scene since 1982 with The Smiths, somehow Morrissey is still relevant and more so, needed. He is the most charismatic performer, he graces the stage with class and dignity, yet is a bit of an oddball character at the same time. Superstars, real superstars are few and far between, a person that has that intangible special…something and Morrissey oozes it. 

After a prelude of various musical videos shown on the huge backdrop screen warming the crowd up, Morrissey walks onto stage with his band, grabs the mic and starts singing acapella. The previously deafening crowd instantly became silent, with bated breath.  Morrissey has a remarkable, unmistakeable voice. His velvety smooth runs, flicks, quips and odd little noises all culminating into the sound that is Morrissey. 

It’s pretty starkly clear, imagining the scenario where Morrissey chooses his band. He is a perfectionist and he knows exactly what he wants, to that end, he has selected the most refined and precise musicians to play in his band. Every note played was absolute precision, some of the noises these guys got out of their guitars, we can’t even compute. The music has those waves, warped sounds and quips, just as Morrissey’s vocals do - it all results in a sound that can only be Morrissey. He is a master in his own right, and seemingly only chooses masters to join him. 

It seems redundant to review Morrissey. We are huge fans. It seems stupid to say what an amazing performer he is, because it’s so obvious. But to see him live? To feel the room? It’s different, even better than you can imagine, really special. It seems ridiculous to say what an unbelievable vocalist he is -  but for it to come out of his mouth and straight into our ears? The poetry hits differently, harder, truer. This was a really special night. 

Usually we talk about going to see a band as a “gig”, gigs are dirty, loud, sometimes smelly and uncomfortable - raw rock and noise. This night with Morrissey was an event, a show. But even now, after all these years, and despite his sound, Morrissey is Punk.