Morrissey Live in Manchester: A Potted History
FROM Manhattan to Move, they haven’t been many stones left unturned by
Steven Patrick Morrissey’s live career in his hometown - and with four
dates to come in less than a month this spring, a couple of new additions are
set to be ticked off the venue checklist too.
Yet, surprising, over his 24-year career the Davyhulme-born icon has only performed
in the city a measly 14 times as both Smiths’ singer and solo artist, underlining
just - as he confirmed in his Arctic Monkeys retraction statement recently - how
quickly the seminal ‘80s bans rose to fame, widened their horizons and toured
the world.
Prior to the feverishly anticipated arrival of the enigmatic 46-year-old’s
UK tour on April 18, ManchesterOnline aims to whet your appetite by taking a look
back at the shows he’s played to date:
Oct 4, 1982 - The Ritz
Supporting the now defunct British pop
band Blue Rondo A La Turk, the somewhat eclectic bill also featured a drag act
and a dance troupe! With Dale Hibbert on bass, the band’s four-song set featured a rare performance of Suffer Little Children.
Jan 25, 1983 - Manhattan
Taking place at this longstanding gay
bar, the band - now featuring the classic line-up with Andy Rourke now on bass
- were joined on stage by Mozza’s friend James
Maker, who, in a prelude to future Mancunian ‘vibesmen’ Bez and Cressa,
danced on stage with the band for the second and final time.
Feb 4, 1983 - Hacienda
Headlined by Factory Records funk
band 52nd Street, to bring a little to the grey former boat showroom, Moz filled
the place with flowers, beginning a recognisable tradition, which lasts until
this day.
Feb 21, 1983 - Rafters
Now the Music Box on Oxford Street. The late Rob Gretton, New Order’s
manager and Hacienda co-founder, used to be resident DJ here. The Smiths were booked
to play between the wonderfully titled The Gay Animals and Richard Hell And The Voidoids.
Jul 6, 1983 - Hacienda
The band’s first hometown headlining gig. Morrissey apparently greeted
the audience with "Hello you little charmers... we're The Smiths, how do
you do?" The 10-song set included future classics Hand In Glove and What
Difference Does It Make?
Nov 24, 1983 - Hacienda
After an extensive UK tour the band return home for another Hac date following
their first appearance on Top Of The Pops.
Mar 13, 1984 - Free Trade Hall
With their eponymous-titled debut LP now in the shops, the quartet were joined
by ‘60s star Sandie Shaw to perform I Don't Owe You Anything at the legendary
Peter Street venue, now a Radisson hotel.
Mar 31, 1985 - Palace Theatre
Perturbed by the apparent lack of atmosphere at this sit down show, Morrissey
is said to have repeatedly called for the audience to be more responsive on this
Meat Is Murder tour date.
Jul 19, 1986 - G-Mex Festival
Part of their The Queen Is Dead UK jaunt, the four-piece joined a host of local
and international acts like A Certain Ratio, New Order, The Fall, Cabaret Voltaire,
Pete Shelley, Sandie Shaw and Wayne Fontana for the G-Mex Festival of the Tenth
Summer to mark 10 years of punk.
Jul 20, 1986 - University Of Salford
The band followed it up the next day with a riotous gig recently listed in Q
Magazine as one of the 100 best ever, which ended with a mass stage invasion.
Oct 30, 1986 - Free Trade Hall
Sadly this was the last time the band performed on stage in Manchester. The encore
aptly included the track I Know It's Over.
Morrissey Solo:
Dec 15, 1992 - Apollo
After a six-year hiatus Mozza return to the city for a gig that would be his
last for 12 years. Part of his lengthy Your Arsenal live tour, sadly the set
was reportedly dogged by sound problems.
May 22, 2004 - M.E.N. Arena
On his 45th birthday the star wowed a teeming Arena, dotted with the great
and the good of Manchester’s showbiz fraternity, with a dynamic and emotional
set capped off by a magical rendition of the Smiths’ classic, There Is
A Light That Never Goes out. Cue grown men to shed tears of joy.
Jul 11, 2004 - Move Festival, Old Trafford Cricket Ground
With his comeback album, You Are The Quarry, now flying out of the shops Moz
rounded off this sadly now defunct three-day festival with a blistering set,
which also saw him find time to take pot shots at his old school and headmaster.
