Morrissey – Three Arena, Dublin – 20-02-18 – Review by Killian Laher

The visit of Morrissey to these shores always provides a talking point or three.  The man has plenty of what you might call baggage, and there’s as much talk about his questionable world views as his (also at times questionable) current music.  Suffice to say the public bear more grudges than lonely high school judges, to paraphrase the man.

Without a support act, the performance was preceded by a half hour film, featuring something of a collage of Morrissey’s interests, featuring everything from The Four Tops to the Ramones and the Sex Pistols.  If you’ve followed Morrissey over the years you’ll have a fair idea of the contents.  The sheer size and scale of the Three Arena doesn’t really allow for subtleties, so Morrissey and his band emphasised power over precision.  Barrelling through a set dominated by last year’s Low In High School album.  These songs provoked a mixed reaction, I Wish You Lonely and Jacky’s Only Happy When She’s Up On The Stage went down well, while on the other hand When You Open Your Legs killed the momentum and had many in the crowd chatting or heading for the bar.  He peppered the set with occasional highlights from his, and The Smiths’ back catalogue such as Suedehead and the seldom-aired I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish which were lapped up by the audience, while other highlights included The Bullfighter Dies, Hold On To Your Friends and a cover of The Pretenders’ Back On The Chain Gang.

Morrissey kept political diatribes and shirt changes to a minimum, preferring to focus on the music, which was faithfully if a little methodically played by his long-standing band of Boz Boorer and co.  The concert felt a bit like a lap of honour, there were few surprises but even fewer disappointments, and the man can still sing the hell out of his songs.

Track List –
You’ll Be Gone
I Wish You Lonely
I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish
Suedehead
Jacky’s Only Happy When She’s Up On The Stage
How Soon Is Now?
Munich Air Disaster 1958
When You Open Your Legs
Who Will Protect Us From The Police?
World Peace Is None Of Your Business
My Love, I’d Do Anything For You
Home Is A Question Mark
I Bury The Living
Back On The Chain Gang
Spent The Day In Bed
The Bullfighter Dies
If You Don’t Like Me, Don’t Look At Me
Jack the Ripper
Hold On To Your Friends
Alone Again (Naturally)
Everyday Is Like Sunday
Speedway

Encore:
Irish Blood, English Heart