Amanda Bryant Amanda Bryant
Morrissey at Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury, UK on July 23, 2023
FAN REVIEW by Amanda Bryant
Controversial 80’s star’ (according to the local newspaper) Morrissey played the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, on the penultimate date of his UK/Ireland leg of his tour on Sunday 23 July.
I never saw the Smiths live as I didn’t go to gigs until I was a student and they’d already split up by then so, as I’d missed every opportunity to see Morrissey since 1987, I thought it was about time this more than middle-aged women finally ticked it off on her bucket list. Could I go to a concert for the first time in 25+ years? On my own?
I needn’t have worried. The audience was a real mixture reflecting his long career. There were people my age and older, mostly men, but there was also a strong contingent of young people, many accompanying their parents (maybe grandparents?), some too young to have been born in the 80s (or even this century). The latter made their way to the standing area downstairs where they sang every word of every song, hands held aloft throughout. I sat in the circle with the old(er) fans and people who had been dragged along by their partners. When Morrissey started to sing “Girlfriend in a Coma” the man next to me turned and said, ‘I actually know this one’!
I wasn’t sure what to expect. An initial calibration was in order as the snake-hipped, angst-ridden youth of the 80’s is long gone. A burly, well-dressed gentleman walked onto the stage with the swagger of a retired boxer and bowed graciously to the audience. ‘What ails Aylesbury? That is the question?’ he says with tongue firmly in cheek. Then he started to sing and I was captivated. His voice is better than ever I remember in the frenetic Smiths days. Mature and melodic, undeniably Morrissey. Is it possible for a 64 year old man to sound this good?!
There is no doubt that the biggest crowd pleasers are his early work and there is a satisfying smattering of jangly Smiths songs but there are also some more recent compositions and some unreleased work (due a spat with his record label) that only stalwart fans might know. For someone with such an impressive back catalogue it must be difficult to choose a set and everyone has their favourite song(s) but he’s not a Smiths tribute act and has been recording solo for far longer than their short, but oh so sweet, reign. For me it tailed off a little in the middle section as I am just not familiar enough with his new material (some homework to be done there!) but everything sounds great live, particularly as the band are tight, despite having only been playing in their current line up for a short time. The Smiths were all about raw energy. Tonight was a more polished sound and light show but there were flashes of the past and still room for an ad lib (why is he obsessed with rats?).
There were many highlights for me. “Suedehead” was a glorious opener. This song, like many, is more than 35 years old and hasn’t dated at all. “Every Day is like Sunday” takes me straight back to a different time. If you were born, as I was, in a seaside town then you know that this song was written just for you. Bonfire of Teenagers is a moving song about the Manchester Arena bombing that brings a tear to many eyes. Morrissey stopping mid-way through “Jack the Ripper” to come to the aid of an audience member who was being treated roughly by security (‘there’s no need for violence’).
Morrissey was utterly beguiling. In between songs he is engaging and droll. ‘We love you Morrissey’ shouts a male voice. ‘I know’ he replies. He is so comfortable on stage and is clearly enjoying himself. His set is very personal, from the film of video clips that replaces a support act (really, who could support him?) and the changing backdrop of icons that accompanies each song, to the often poetic lyrics that reveal so much about and speak to us all.
At the end of the encore song (just one, always best to be left wanting more!) he tears off his shirt, wipes the sweat off his brow, and throws it into the anticipating audience for it to be ripped into pieces and later framed on walls. Utterly magnificent and mesmerizing. He is human and he needs to be loved. If he returns to this lovely venue I will be there, maybe in the mosh pit next time!
