Toronto, ON - Hummingbird Theatre (Oct. 12, 2004) post-show
posted by davidt on Tuesday October 12 2004, @07:00PM

Post your info and reviews related to this concert in the comments section below. Informative and interesting posts will be moderated up and highlighted. Other links (photos, external reviews, etc.) related to this concert will also be compiled in this section as they are sent in.



Set List:

Bigmouth Strikes Again / First Of The Gang To Die / November Spawned A Monster / I Like You / The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores / Such A Little Thing Makes Such A Big Difference / Shakespeare's Sister / Let Me Kiss You / I Have Forgiven Jesus / How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel? / The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get / How Soon Is Now? / Irish Blood, English Heart / Rubber Ring / Now My Heart Is Full / Subway Train (into) Everyday Is Like Sunday / You Know I Couldn't Last // There Is A Light That Never Goes Out


setlist anonymously provided
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(1) | 2 (Morrissey-solo Overload: CommentLimit 50)
bigmouth strikes again..... (Score:0)
moz opened with "bigmouth strikes again"....great show...but no "last night i dreamt..."

he made some comments about tomorrows show not selling at all and invited us all down.

the security guard on the right hand side wasa hot...couldn't keep my eyes off of him!!!
Anonymous -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @07:15PM (#130463)
Chloe Sevigny (Score:0, Flamebait)
did she attend?
Anonymous -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @07:17PM (#130464)
Boz (Score:0)
My God does Boz sound that good each nite? Absolutely mind blowing guitar solo that just made this Toronto show all that more special. Most stage runners were quite polite...a kiss to the hand or happy with a handshake...still, I heard people complain on the way out that "security should have known better...they should have been more prepared for people getting on stage" blah blah blah...apparently none to familiar with a Morrissey gig. Only complaint is its over before it begins. Is a two hour show asking too much?
Anonymous -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @07:42PM (#130468)
the new stuff... (Score:0)
sounds so much better live!!!
Anonymous -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @07:54PM (#130471)
I want that shirt!!!! (Score:0)
It's my first Moz live show, wow, all i can say is he's got me!!! Too bad i was sitting on the balcony, otherwise i would have been one of the stage runners. and man do i want that shirt he threw off the stage at the end!! There was not one single boring moment, just wish there were more people dancing and singing together
Anonymous -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @08:00PM (#130473)
Stage Invaders are wankers (Score:1)
Yes, yes... we've all seen Hulmerist, and this is something some of you feel you have to do, but really, this stage invading is getting out of hand and is just cliche now. When it comes to the point where Morrissey has to stop singing because some wanker has him in a bear hug or a silly girl keeps tugging at his shirt, it's time to stop. The Toronto show was great, otherwise.
Patrick Doonan -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @08:01PM (#130474)
(User #11703 Info)
juste got in... (Score:1)
great show. juste wanted to say that before bed [up at 5 tomorrow]. tell you more tomorrow.
chrisarclark <clarkinatorclark@hotmail.com> -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @08:14PM (#130476)
(User #9259 Info)
"I'm just passing through here on my way to somewhere civilized and maybe I'll even arrive, maybe I'll even arrive..."
    Bigmouth strikes again... (Score:0)
    Great show!!!

    I was surprised to see security allowing so many people to get to Morrissey and then allowing them back into the audience. Last time I saw him security didn't let anyone get within five feet before dragging them away and ejecting them from the show. Nice to see things back to they used to be.

    I don't have anything against Julia but it would be nice if Moz talked to the audience and not just her during the set. Most of what he did say to the audience was just him bad-mouthing Canada.
    Anonymous -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @08:31PM (#130483)
    Set List - Directly From (Score:0)
    big m
    firstuv
    nov
    boars
    sucha
    shakes
    lemme
    jesus
    how can?
    more you ignore
    how soon?
    oirish
    wubbah
    h is f
    sub-sun
    y'know
    ---------
    lite
    Anonymous -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @08:35PM (#130486)
    "The Hummingbird Thing" (was that what he said?) (Score:1)
    Fantastic show! Some great banter (except for that one jerk who kept heckling poor Moz and embarrassing himself). Moz chastised the Canadian government for allowing the seal hunt to continue, and invited everyone to tomorrow night's show (which apparently has not sold well at all). He had a brief conversation with Julia, who corrected him when he said he wasn't fantastic (so cute!). He introduced the band with a few lines from Southpaw ("and you ran with your pals in the sun, you turned around and they were there"), then he turned and introduced all the guys. I also found that his stage crew (were they wearing t-shirts that said "Mozzy's Men" on them?) were very helpful and kind to those who rushed the stage, even helping people up! I know I wouldn't have made it on stage had it not been for one of them.

    A great night!
    Maude Lynn -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @08:37PM (#130487)
    (User #11835 Info)
    He also mentioned... (Score:1)
    Oh, and he also confirmed that Let Me Kiss You is at #6 in the mid-week charts (I think...?).
    Maude Lynn -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @08:42PM (#130489)
    (User #11835 Info)
    Toronto is so full of energy (Score:2, Informative)
    The crowd was full of amazing energy tonight - it reminded me of the old days. Lots of swaying, swooning, and reaching for Mozzer.

    Morrissey didn't have a lot of energy when he first came on (as compared to other shows on this tour), but quickly realized that crowd was yearning for him. He really played off this.

    Made some comments about the Canadian Government allowing seal hunting. Someone screamed "I love you", and he responded with his usual, "Well that's a predicament, isn't it?".

    Others:
    - "The Southbend Indiana show tomorrow isn't selling well. If your legs are dangling..." Fan Yells "You should stay here in Toronto" Morrissey responds: "Exactly"

    - Fan asks, "Are you still depressed?" Morrissey answers "Was I ever really depressed?" and then added, "If you're a person with even a little bit of intelligence, then you're bound to be depressed. Look around you".

    Lots of stage invaders (including me)- but all quite polite. No pouncing like in NYC. It seems like there was a serious chat with the security at the venue, so that they would treat the fans nicely. Almost everyone got to go up, and shake Morrissey's hand or kiss him on the cheek.

    I was lucky enough to meet him yesterday, and he remembered by name. I rushed the stage during Every day is like Sunday, and he actually SANG my name after I shook his hand!!

    I'm really surprised that he managed to finish the encore - there were a ton of people on stage. Security was very gentle, luckily.

    This truly was one of the best shows on the tour -the crowd received him tremendously. I'm proud of Toronto!
    Anonymous -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @08:46PM (#130490)
    Quarry songs hit the spot::) (Score:0)
    Yes, the Hummingbird show was that fantastic. All the Quarry songs sound that much better live. A personal highlight for me was when he sang I have Forgiven Jesus". The people at the front were very good to one another, no pushing or shoving...Is it just me or did anyone else happen to notice that Morrissey's trousers were very well pressed? Not one single wrinkle!

    ~Alvin
    Anonymous -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @08:48PM (#130492)
    im sorry but... (Score:1)
    you fucking people getting on stage.. i dont mind a few of you, but when moz has to stop singing, thats when its annoying !!!

    im just glad i got my dream fulfilled... meeting gary before the show TEEHEE!!!!!!!!!

    great show chaps.
    stephatrc -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @08:55PM (#130497)
    (User #12170 Info | http://lsds.com/ )
    Bad security makes for a great show! (Score:2, Informative)
    That was a great show. He opened up with Bigmouth Strikes Again, changing the lyrics to 'Sweetness, I WASN'T kidding...' He was also wearing a badge of some sort on his blazer at the beginning, though I don't know what it said...

    Lots and lots of stage invaders, which Moz clearly loved. The venue security didn't appear to touch a single one of them, and Moz's personal security ("MOZZERS MEN" on the back of their shirts) allowed 99% of them to touch Morrissey before being returned to their spot. There was this one ADORABLE woman who they didn't even bother with; she walked calmly onto the stage, walked slowly over to Moz, gave him a nice peck on the cheek, and walked back.

    I thought it was really great how the people in the first couple of rows near the stage sort of kept 'rotating' so that just about everyone in the first few got a change to be at the front for at least a little while.

    Julia was there, as always. Hope she didn't get crushed in the throng, it was pretty rowdy.

    All in all, a super show! Only four or so venue security guards, none of them weighing over 180... the band was great, and Boz kept coming over to us at the left side and playing for us.

    And at the end, Deano gave me a drumstick!

    http://sheneedstherapy.el3vator.com/ohbaby.jpg
    The stick and I.

    AND I saw some major Moz buttcrack while he was writhing around on the floor. Perfect!
    BoredatUnemployment -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @09:42PM (#130504)
    (User #12483 Info)
    Ah, and I meant to add... (Score:1)
    - This appears to be the first show where Moz didn't make one of those doom-and-gloom comments like "sometimes goodbye means farewell" and so on...

    - Morrissey appeared to be under the impression that the Canadian government would not allow the cover of You Are The Quarry to be sold because it contained a gun... which is news to me. Every cover I've seen has included the gun...

    - Morrissey asked us what we thought of "the Canadian government allowing baby seals to be clubbed.." which, of course, I know *I* voted for the seal-clubbing party. Just Morrissey being conscientous about animal rights I suppose...

    - Morrissey only threw out one shirt, after the encore, right before leaving the stage, but changed shirts three or four times...

    - There was a whole lot of writhing. He was really down with the floor during this show.

    - There was NIPPLE RUBBING involved. Oh yes. Popped open the shirt and clapped his hands right over the breasts. I'm surprised we could hear the music at that very moment, over the sound of thousands of panties being ruined at once.

    - The band wasn't wearing their kilts. A couple of them were sporting some pretty fancy ascots.

    - Morrissey is not-so-subtle about wiping his hands off on his pants after shaking hands with the fans... my we are a clammy bunch aren't we!

    - He appears to have recently got a haircut, the quiff was much diminished in size. At one point, he appeared to grow frustrated with it, and tugged it into a mini-mohawk.

    - During 'Everyday is Like Sunday', he sang, "...on the promenade, scratch on a postcard, OH MOTHER, how I dearly wish I was not here..."
    BoredatUnemployment -- Tuesday October 12 2004, @10:59PM (#130518)
    (User #12483 Info)
    Morrissey virgin no more (Score:0)
    This was my first time witht the Mozzer... He was very gentle.
    Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @04:41AM (#130545)
    Worth the wait! (Score:1)
    The concert in Toronto was AMAZING! Lots of energy throughout the show. Moz got things going with bigmouth, and just turned it on throughout. Tempting/teasing the crowd into a frenzy. The fans responded with gentle stage rushes. The occasional mad rush was thwarted by security, and turned it into a handshake. Glad Moz was not hurt and enjoyed the fans, inviting them to Indiana. Well Moz...Toronto has been with you for 20 years...might want to consider more shows here, rather than hickstown Indiana! Lov ya Moz!!
    lou66 -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @04:44AM (#130546)
    (User #12690 Info)
      Damien (Score:0)
      How is Damien Dempsey going down in the states? He is a very talented singer/songwriter and will go onto big things.

      Is he playing 'Dublin Town' ?
      Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @05:05AM (#130551)
        Toronto Sun Review (Score:1, Informative)
        By JANE STEVENSON
        Toronto Sun

        ------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------
        MORRISSEY
        Hummingbird Centre, Toronto
        Tuesday, October 12, 2004
        ------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------

          TORONTO -- Morrissey is clearly an equal opportunity heartthrob.

        What else could explain the number of women and men who went up to give Moz (as he's been dubbed in the British press) -- a handshake, hug or kiss on stage last night during a show at the Hummingbird Centre?

        I lost count after the number of overly enthusiastic fans went into the double digits.

        Perhaps the explanation for all that adoration is that the 45-year-old pop-rock veteran and former frontman for hugely influential '80s rockers The Smiths is currently touring in support of You Are The Quarry, his first studio album in seven years.

        Just maybe all that screaming, swooning and reaching out and touching Morrissey was simply because his fans missed the miserable old sod.

        And I use that description with the deepest of affection.

        An artist who has built a career on depressing and melancholy songs full of eloquent lyrics and sung in an emotional and expressive voice, even Morrissey made fun of his sad sack reputation last night.

        "Am I still depressed?" he asked out loud during his 90-minute set. "Look around you. CNN. Bush. How could anyone possibly be happy?"

        Well, at the very least, his fans were.

        "I feel you," he said towards the end. "My little wooden heart is full. But for how long? That is the question."

        The show began dramatically enough with the stage bathed in darkness while a British woman's voice listed off bad things like "drunken abusers, racists, bullies, the Sun newspaper (The London Sun, fyi), hunger, greed," etc.

        At that point, audience members were already on their feet and screaming and crowding the aisles where they remained for the rest of the night.

        Then Morrissey and his five piece band -- guitarists Boz Boorer and Jesse Tobias, bassist Gary Day, keyboardist Mike Farrell and drummer Dean Butterworth -- came on stage and took a bow together before a single note was even played. Morrissey's name spelled out in huge red lights behind them added to the larger-than-life vibe of the evening.

        Somewhat surprisingly, Morrissey, who would eventually sweat his way through three dress shirts before leaving the stage shirtless at the end, opened the set with The Smiths' 1986 tune Bigmouth Strikes Again, before trotting out the first Quarry song of the night, The First Of The Gang To Die.

        "This is an evening of loud music and poetry," he proclaimed. "More specifically, it's the dying art of live music."

        Working his microphone cord like a bullfighter with a red cape, Morrissey's performing style was definitely memorable.

        And not even his chastising of the Canadian government for allowing baby seals to be clubbed to death and the public allowing it to continue -- "You're spineless," his scolded -- could end the love affair between performer and crowd.

        Other set highlights included such Quarry songs as I Like You, The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores, Let Me Kiss You, How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel? and Irish Blood, English Heart, and such Smiths' classics as How Soon Is Now? and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.

        Opening last night was Montreal buzz band The Dears, who just got a huge mention in Rolling Stone as one of "10 artists to watch."

        Judging from their uneven half-hour set, the occasion caused some nervousness within the group, who have been compared to The Smiths in the past, as frontman Murray Lightburn announced: "I can't express what Morrissey has meant to me in my life. I just wanted to take this chance to say thank-you Morrissey and I love you."

        Obviously, it was a sentiment shared by many.

        http://www.canoe.ca/JamConcer

        Read the rest of this comment...

        Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @05:22AM (#130556)
        Rude harassing fans.... (Score:0)
        Pretty rude and thoughtlessly selfish bunch alot of Moz fans are. How people can go up on stage and believe it perfectly acceptable to sexually assault a person (Moz) and then not be kicked in the arse by security is beyond me. He is a real person, just because you've known him for years of your pathetic life, he doesn't know WHO YOU ARE and does not want you to kiss him, or lick your palm and shake his hand... he's incredibly tolerant and people need to show alot more respect. He has a life and beleive me, he only gives us the time of day because we PAY HIM!!! He's not our friend, he has a job and he does it well, leave him alone.
        Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @08:20AM (#130580)
        Oh Huh Huh Huh Hooo !!! (Score:1)
        Well, First Morrissey show ever for me. I've been a fan for 12 years now and I was not disappointed at all. I was in the Mezzanine so that's a little better than the balcony, but half your energy disappears when your forced to sit down. There was no one standing but I was dancing in my seat like a fool. It felt like being at a Movie Theatre watching a live Morrissey show. At $80.00 a ticket, but once you got over that it was great. Most people sitting around me were very lathargic and only moved during "More you Ignore Me" and "How soon is now", I didn't care though, No Drunk Jocks, or Idiot Punks just good people there to watch a show. I was envious of the people down in the Orchestra section, but I'm so short I probably would have missed it all. The set was great. Of course we all have our dream lists, I can't beleive he still totally ignores Viva Hate, Your Arsenal, Southpaw Grammer and Maladjusted. Half of the songs are great off each of these albums...Why ? I almost wish he's skip the Smiths songs and give us Piccadilly, Interesting Drug. Yack Yack. Any way it was great. I Hope he tours again in this area.
        Micropenis -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @08:21AM (#130581)
        (User #10753 Info)
        november lyric change (Score:0)
        did anyone else noticed the lyrics change on "november spawned a monster"? morrissey substituted "a frame of useless limbs" with "yes i am a queen"(!?), so that the stanza went:
        "... and people discussing me
        yes, i am a queen
        what can be made of all the bad
        that's been done."
        i was front row and he was right in front of me as he was singing it. it is hardly a case of projection...
        Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @08:30AM (#130584)
        Aragon Ballroom Oct. 15 (Score:0)
        Hi,
        I am a new Morrissey fan and on Friday I am going to see him for only the second time. I went to the House of Blues and the show was amazing, but I did it all wrong, I got there late, was too far back etc.

        Can any of you more seasoned vets tell me how to get the most out of a Morrissey show? Like, when should I get in line, where should I place myself, what to expect, etc.

        I am going alone and am timid by nature, so the temptation is to tuck away in the balcony and observe, but the people on the floor always look like they are having a better time and are way more into it. And I would never forgive myself if I didn't get into it, it's a MORRISSEY show after all! Maybe if I had tips on what to do that would give me more confidence.

        Thanks!
        Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @08:44AM (#130585)
        Awesome Show - Much better than 2000 (Score:1)
        ....wow, what a great show last night in Toronto. Fantastic energy...........Moz's voice sounded amazing. The band sounded tight. Great to see.
        Much better than his show in Hamilton a few years back, which featured a lacklustre crowd, a listless Moz, and little energy.

        only wish i could follow the rest of the tour....sigh.
        MozStoleMyPants -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @08:58AM (#130592)
        (User #12695 Info)
        my unabashed adoration (Score:0)
        It's unfortunate that some people on here are angry about those of us who are adoring fans. I'm genuinely sorry that those people aren't able to feel what it's like. Myself and everyone around me seemed to understand that Morrissey is a very special man and clearly his impact on our lives has been profound. Morrissey understands and appreciates that. Last night was wonderful and I was able to say thank you to Morrissey which I have been waiting for years to be able to do. I didn't charge him or tackle him but I did kiss him and say thank you and it was beautiful. I was also very happy about how polite security was. They didn't give anyone a hard time that was gentle on stage. The guard just smiled and told me to hurry back to my spot in the audience. I will not forget last night. It went above and beyond my already great expectations. And I want to say how happy I am for anyone else who felt the same way.
        Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @09:39AM (#130609)
        Toronto Star Review (Score:2, Informative)
        A begrudgingly positive review. Author not only spells Morrissey's given name incorrectly but also asserts positively that Morrissey is gay.
        *********************************************
        Company loves Morrissey misery

        BEN RAYNER
        POP MUSIC CRITIC

        Morrissey's legendary, lovelorn misery has to be one of the greatest running jokes in show business.

        For while Stephen Patrick Morrissey's songbook has, for 20 years, situated him as an eternal victim — of romance, of British culture, of human nature — doomed to a life (and death) of self-lacerating loneliness, the fact of the matter is that the Manchester-born melodramatist is loved. And by a great number of people.

        The endlessly erudite singer is, of course, in on the gag. And indeed, one of the most charming things about the former Smiths frontman's effortlessly entertaining gig at the Hummingbird Centre last night was the absurdity of watching him sing song after song of alienation and existential discontent while hilariously oversized security guards beat back a steady stream of wallflowers and nancy boys clamouring for a peck on the cheek or the chance to throw themselves at his feet.

        To his credit, Morrissey — these days with a distinguished grey at the temples and burlier than his long-cultivated persona might suggest — has the type of magnetic, wholly magnanimous stage demeanour that invites such behaviour. He's blessed with that singular, quavering tenor and the wit to come off as both wounded and ever capable of wounding in his songwriting, but these attributes stand on equal footing with his ability to stare out at several thousand strangers and carry on casually with them, as though he were merely holding court amongst friends at a dinner party. A 45-year-old gay man who can make 15-year-olds shriek and swoon as though present at the second coming of Bobby Sherman deserves our utmost respect.

        Personality was also, fortunately, the key to rescuing some of the softer material from this year's likeable, but somewhat over-zealously celebrated comeback bid, You Are The Quarry.

        Morrissey's first solo album in eight years is as lyrically pointed as one might expect, but its impact is dulled somewhat by music that rests in the same jangly, mid-tempo rut he's been ploughing since his days with the Smiths.

        Nevertheless, backed by a long-standing band that included duelling guitarists Boz Boorer and Alain Whyte, the Mozzer made a decent case for the adoption of numerous new numbers — the sprightly bandito fantasy "First Of The Gang To Die," the swooningly catty "The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores" and the muscular, guitar-charged rants "Irish Blood, English Heart," the epic, critic-baiting finale "You Know I Couldn't Last" — as permanent concert fixtures.

        "I Have Forgiven Jesus" was ridiculously overwrought, even by Morrissey's theatrical standards, while some of the less memorable You Are The Quarry material remained, well ... less memorable. Extended patches of sogginess were staved off easily, however, by judicious probing of the Smiths canon (opener "Bigmouth Strikes Again," a boffo "How Soon Is Now") and the respectable early years of his solo career ("Every Day Is Like Sunday," "November Spawned A Monster"). And, of course, by generous, hilarious deployment of the character known as Morrissey, who dryly offered up this parting thought at the encore: "Fifty years from now, we'll all be dead. So what does any of this matter, really?"
        alainsane -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @09:58AM (#130618)
        (User #460 Info)
        Another Review (Score:0)
        http://www.canoe.ca/JamConcertsL2Q/morrissey_101304-can.html

        They say he is well toned! He looks chubby to me!
        Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @10:24AM (#130625)
        who was that guy? (Score:0)
        who was that guy that morrissey dragged out from stage right near the end of the show?
        Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @11:07AM (#130642)
        B r a z i l (Score:0)
        Dear Moz,
        Do not forget Brazilian fans and South America, please.
        Can you come to sing? We love you!!!!!
        Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @12:36PM (#130669)
          How Soon Is Now (Score:0)
          For me the highlight of the concert was 'How Soon Is Now' with Morrissey posing in the middle of the flashing lights. It was all so surreal, spiritual and emotional. I almost had to pinch myself to convince myself that what I was seeing was real.
          Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @12:40PM (#130672)
          Toronto kicks ass! (Score:1)
          I really have to visit more often.
          aavernal -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @12:50PM (#130676)
          (User #12406 Info)
            Another Toronto Review (from Chartattack) (Score:1)
            LIVE: Morrissey Drives Fans Into A Frenzy
            Wednesday October 13, 2004 @ 05:00 PM
            By: ChartAttack.com Staff

            October 12, 2004
            Toronto, Ontario
            Hummingbird Centre
            By Sofi Papamarko

            Legions of hipsters descended upon the Hummingbird Centre last night to witness Morrissey's only Canadian date in support of his latest record, You Are The Quarry.

            Opening act The Dears were a suitably broody appetizer. Their all-too-brief set was remarkably well received. Both "Lost In The Plot" and "22: The Death Of All Romance" (during which a dressed-to-the-nines Murray Lightburn slung an acoustic guitar) were met with cheers. Unfortunately, Murray's vocals were often drowned out by rhythm guitar and drum bravado. Technical problems aside, the Dears proved their stage presence translates just as well in large concert halls as it does in small, dank bars.

            The unveiling of an illimunated Morrissey billboard preceded the headliners entrance. The fixture was cheeky and over-the-top, like the man himself.

            Mozzer, every inch the silver fox, cut a dashing figure in a dark jacket, slacks, and dress shirt. The first notes of "Bigmouth Strikes Again" whipped the already riled-up crowd into a frenzy.

            Selections from You Are The Quarry were punctuated by some older solo material as well as several Smiths classics, including "Shakespeare's Sister," "How Soon Is Now" and "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out."

            Morose though his music might be, Morrissey is one hell of a showman. His exaggerated facial expressions, waggling eyebrows and prancing about were reminiscent of an indulgent uncle entertaining his nieces and nephews at a boring family function. It helped that most of the audience members were about half his age.

            If Morrissey's dashing good looks and crushed velvet croon were not enough to ignite the collective loins of his fans, Our Hero showed a little skin on more than one occasion. For a man of his years (all 45 of them), Mozzer has a fairly decent body (vegetarianism does a body good, apparently). When, during the tender "Let Me Kiss You" — a song about being physically repulsive to the object of one's affections — he seductively unbuttoned his shirt and moony-eyed girls and boys alike bit down on their bottom lips in lust-induced anguish.

            The sheer volume of fans that jumped onstage to steal a kiss from Morrissey before being tackled by burly security guards with "Mozzer's Men" emblazoned across their chests marred what could have been a near-perfect show. At first it was cute and sort of charming, but after the 10th or 12th time, it started interfering with his performance. Thankfully, Moz was gracious about being mauled, unlike many who would have gotten angry with the crowd or simply would have stopped the performance.

            So Moz played on, to the delight of everyone, with the only disappointment coming when the bright Morrissey sign finally went out.

            http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2004/10/1313.cfm
            Maude Lynn -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @01:56PM (#130684)
            (User #11835 Info)
            So... (Score:0)
            What did you guys think of the Dears???
            Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @02:02PM (#130685)
            • Re:So... by Anonymous (Score:0) Wednesday October 13 2004, @02:18PM
              • Re:So... by Anonymous (Score:0) Wednesday October 13 2004, @04:58PM
              my dreams came true in toronto (Score:1)
              i must say how excited i was last night to finally have my chance to do two things i've wanted to do for more than ten years now. 1. i was able to hand a letter to morrissey from my spot in front of the stage. and 2. i was able to get up on the stage during the encore and give him a quick kiss on the hand. the security guards, and Mozzer's Men, were incredibly gentle and understanding of the fans on the stage and i must applaud them for that. the show was his best that i've seen...even my least favorite song from Quarry...(how can anybody possibly know how i feel)...sounded amazing live. i was surprised to see that nobody really brought any flowers to the show for morrissey. usually i see a lot of them. but it was an unbelievable night nonetheless. and to all those who complain about 'stage crashers' keep the hate to yourself and save your bitterness for your homelife.
              long live the over-emotional fan!
              robtoronto -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @02:04PM (#130686)
              (User #12615 Info)
              Another Review... (Score:0)
              Morrissey pleases Toronto crowd
              By BRUCE SCOTT -- For JAM! Music

              ------------------------------------------------ -MORRISSEY
              Hummingbird Centre, Toronto
              Tuesday, October 12, 2004
              ------------------------------------------------ -

              TORONTO -- If there's a single word that could summarize the concert put on last night by legendary '80s alt-rock icon Morrissey, it would have to be "generous."

              If there were two, it would be "hugs" and "kisses." The show was more than the usual one-hour, often one-sided, worship-fest his fans have come to expect and accept.

              "This is an evening of loud music and poetry. More specifically, it's the dying art of live music," he stated early on in the show, and indeed it was.

              In fact, from the moment Morrissey took the stage at Toronto's Hummingbird Centre shortly after 9 p.m., he lavished nothing but kindness and affection upon his capacity audience. He chatted to (sometimes with) the crowd between songs; the set lasted for almost 90 minutes, and he even introduced his band, which is something of a rarity to those who have been following this man through the last 15 odd years of his solo career since the break-up of The Smiths.

              Montreal band The Dears opened the show, as they were apparently hand-picked by Morrissey to be his opening act for this Canadian gig, and in his capacity for goodwill last night he thanked them for "being dears." But the back drop left no one wondering who was the undisputed star of the evening.

              Behind the musicians, on a raised platform, the word "MORRISSEY" was spelled out in 15-foot-high capital letters illuminated by Vegas-style light bulbs. It was strangely reminiscent of Elvis's comeback tour, or a Tom Jones album cover, but worked perfectly with the tone of the evening.

              Musically, the evening was an eclectic array of new and old, with several heart-stopping renditions of classic Smith's songs thrown into the mix.

              Morrissey kicked off with a blistering version of "Bigmouth Strikes Again" from The Smiths' 1986 "The Queen Is Dead" album, and even updated the lyrics to include: "as the flames rose, to her Roman nose, and her iPod started to melt...".

              In total, there were five much-loved Smiths songs that were doled out, but it was the surprise inclusion of the seminal 80s club hit "How Soon Is Now" that probably capped the night for members of the crowd old enough to remember living through that decade.

              For his ever growing legion of young new fans, Morrissey provided an excellent sampling of his best solo work to date, including no less than eight tunes from his latest album, "You Are The Quarry."

              His 5-piece touring band -- guitarists Boz Boorer and Jesse Tobias, keyboardist Mike Farrell, bassist Gary Day, and drummer Dean Butterworth -- provided crack support for the new bombastic show-stoppers like "I Have Forgiven You Jesus" and "Irish Blood, English Heart", as well as for the more sophisticated moments, such as a clarinet solo added into "November Spawned A Monster", which mimicked perfectly the operatic warblings of Toronto native Mary Margaret O'Hara who sang backup on the original 1990 recording.

              Moz capped the night with a single encore number, and gave the audience another Smiths favourite, "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out."

              By this time, the number of frenzied fans who were clambering up onto the stage to shake hands with, kiss, wrap their arms around, or lay their head on Morrissey's shoulder (a touchy-feely Morrissey concert tradition) was increasing moment by moment. The estimated 51 stage stormers over the course of the evening were each treated with kid gloves. Security often led them over (sometimes in awkward bear hugs) to their idol, then gently removed them from the stage.

              In a final farewell gesture of generosity, Morrissey stripped off his shirt, revealing a surprisingly well-toned physique, and threw it into the audience. The shirt off his back, his engaging personality, his at

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              Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @02:08PM (#130688)
              Vote Kerry (Score:1)
              If you don't we will all live(?) to regret it. An appeal from the HEART.

              Off-topic, but what's really important in this world?
              Rico -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @04:59PM (#130710)
              (User #3487 Info | http://profiles.myspace.com/users/5347553 )
              Karma equals minus infinity, but I stand up for the truth
              Shirt (Score:0)
              First of all, thanks to the nice fellow who kindly gave me a piece of his shirt. I believe that the fragrance is "By Dolce & Gabbana" ("by" being the actual name of the fragrance). Can anyone confirm this?

              Thanks again to the nice guy and also to the security guy who pulled out his little scissors!

              npg
              Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @07:05PM (#130724)
              Did anybody get any good pics? (Score:0)
              Did anybody get any good pics last nite.
              Just wondering
              Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @08:30PM (#130735)
                Best Birthday EVER! (Score:0)
                I was the one Morrissey said "Happy Birthday" to.

                I also got on stage during "There is a Light.." and kissed him on the cheek.

                I came from New York City (13 hour train ride) just to be there.

                Thank you Toronto, for one of the best nights of my life!
                Anonymous -- Wednesday October 13 2004, @08:35PM (#130737)
                  Julia Riley (Score:0)
                  ok, NOW i get why so many people have a problem with her. i had the misfortune of having to deal with this little madam at this gig.

                  first, a bit of background - the stage was set up so that there was some space between the front row and the stage. Some people who wanted to stand were going from the 1st, 2nd or 3rd row and standing in front of the stage, but strategically so as not to obstruct the view of those who wanted to stay seated in their front row seats.

                  julia comes and asks me if i can move over, because she wanted to stand in my spot. i tell her, "no, i can't move because if i move, i'll be obstructi