As the Festival Hall lights created the silhouette of the man skulking about on stage, you would be forgiven for thinking it was 1984.
The outline of the classic quiff, the still in shape (and often shirtless) figure and the perfect voice – this was definitely Morrissey and after ten years of waiting, he was back in Melbourne.
A full crowd gathered on Wednesday night to experience what can only be described as a love fest with the man who, for so many, wrote the soundtrack to their lives.
It’s been a decade since he’s been down under and considering the time spent squashing rumours of a reunion of The Smiths, this could be the only chance many will have to enjoy these songs live.
As expected, The Smiths’ tracks were met with a sensational roar, however Morrissey’s solo catalogue was mind blowing and also given the respect it deserved.
Before the man even graced the stage, tension built with a collection of Morrissey’s favourite clips of music and performance art. The curtain dropped and a booming voice filled the room with a list of the artist’s ‘Most Hated’ ranging from Bastard Thatcher, the Royals to Cancer and Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment leaving the audience feeling appropriately passionate and outraged as the enigmatic vegetarian took to the stage.
Years of making music has done good things for the alternative voice of a generation and it took two songs for it to completely warm up. During ‘Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want’ and ‘I Know It’s Over’ one could simply close their eyes and transport back to teenage bedrooms, overcome with angst and being comforted by The Smiths.
Looking around, tears were proudly flowing from men and women alike.
Don’t worry, it wasn’t all a downer. The sensational-as-ever ‘How Soon Is Now?’ was an epic sing-along with a light show that would have been an epileptic’s worst nightmare but certainly a dream for the crowd.
There was an incredible rendition of crowd-pleaser ‘Still Ill’ and the dramatic drums, heavy riffs, and heartfelt lyrics of ‘One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell’ showcased the best of modern Morrissey and the broad talents of his backing band.
The ensemble matched their in effort and intensity. When he left the stage to replace a shirt he’d thrown, it felt – for a moment – as though the only mutual friend had left the dinner table, yet their effort and skill for the 90 minute set wowed all.
Morrissey understands his people and comprehends the effect he has, always reaching out to touch fans and at one point passed the microphone to front rowers so the love could be verbalised.
This later extended to audience members jumping on stage for hugs, before being forcibly removed by security. While most comment on the misery of Morrissey, it was definitely affection, respect, and joy in the air on Wednesday.
It’s not a Morrissey show without the passion and the opinion, like how the Royal Family are to England what Gaddafi was to Libya… or something along those lines.
Any passionate person can unsettle you and as the Mancunian screamed out ‘Meat Is Murder’, with blood red light drenching his face and vision of abattoirs on the screen, some shuffled uncomfortably while others wooed along.
Unlike so many songwriters whose lyrics have lost meaning over time – this is a man who strongly believes in the words he sings and for that, everyone should be counted lucky.
When the show was over, Festival Hall went dark, however it’s safe to say Melbourne’s love for Morrissey is a ‘Light That Will Never Go Out’.
View the photo gallery of Morrissey’s concert at Festival Hall here.
