I knew i had to be somewhere tonight, hope it was a good un.

well no moaning about this show tonight please, i set off at 4pm, car broke down just as we got into birmingham, and got back home at 10pm, tickets still in my pocket, not impressed, i hope you all enjoyed the show

A few point from tonights show;

1 - Same set as in Glasgow. Morrissey was excellent, I was also very impressed by PJ Harvey who is a top spinning rock minx, she reminded me of ian curtis. Only one criticism, I would have liked the headmaster ritual in the set somewhere and maybe everyday is like sunday, i felt the set had too many b-sides.

2 - Julia is very well, she was very well looked after in the front row, morrissey ensured that and checked several times.

3 - Is this his farewell tour? Well i thought tonight the clues were there. He said early on in the set "this is my emotional journey, much to my cost", i wondered, was he talking about hiring massive arenas and not selling them out, all in the name of "farewell my friends"? Also, he ended by saying "farewell is the longest word" and on came the sinartra classic "my final curtain", you know the one. I just got the feeling, this was the last time we would see him in birmingham at least, if not another UK tour.

4 - The arena i would say overall was 3/4 full. However the people around my seat were awful. One complained to a steward because a girl dared to get up and sing. I felt a freak knowing the words and doing my hand movements, it was like a library, why do these people come out to see a show they haven't got the first clue about? The concert would have been awesome in a smaller venue with the diehards, even though i was a morrissey virgin, i still gave as much passion as i could, because i am passionate about his music and lyrics. Others clearly were not. I mean, how can people NOT know the lyrics to "theres a light"?

Overall ratings.

morrissey : 9 maybe 8 because of too many b sides.

PJ harvey : 7-8 really enjoyed her set, she contrasted morrissey so very well.

brum crowd: overall 5, diehards 8 ( good try diehards ).

I enjoyed the night and i'm on a high, thank you morrissey. :)

Knowing Julia was well looked after in the front row and checked on several times.

Personally, I fell she needs checking out by a psychiatrist.

Oh flowers...flowers...

Thank you...I'll ignore all you other bastards.
I won't even look at you.

Funny comment about Birmingham and Manchester sharing one thing in common...you're never more than 6 feet away from a shoplifter...(cue music)

It was very nice to hear Lucky Lisp. Must be a first, no?

Great Night. I'm still buzzing. Lovely to hear almost all of the Jobriath album before Polly J and in between her and Morrissey. Terrible venue acoustically and if you were unfortunate enough to have a seat ANYWHERE in the building (as I was) as you would need the projector screens. Anyway the set list:- 1. How Soon is Now 2. First of the Gang to Die 3. November Spawned a Monster 4. Don't Make Fun of Daddies Voice 5. Bigmouth Strikes Again 6. I Like You 7. Redondo Beach 8. Let Me Kiss You 9. Subway Train Intro/Munich Air Disaster 1958 10.There is a Light and it Never Goes Out 11.The More You Ignore Me the Closer I Get 12.Friday Mourning 13.I Have Forgiven Jesus 14.Never Played Symphonies 15.Shoplifters of the World Unite 16.Irish Blood, English Heart 17.You Know I Couldn't Last 18.Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (Encore) Excellent Smiths content. There seemed a lot of people there who didn't recognise the Smiths stuff or the B sides. Venue had a lot of empty seats and the scalpers outside would have done better selling the Big Issue. I met a couple down from st Helens (Chiko & Sharon) in the Walkabout bar on Broad Street before the show. If you see this posting I will send you a copy of the Manchester DVD in the post this week. I'm going to bed now. Can't wait until Earls Court this Saturday. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Just got back..., great show, my 2nd time ever, was a great experience to hear shoplifters and bigmouth! live! crazy mosh pit were I was at the front, lots of die hard fans, and also alot of people who looked a little subdued?...felt sorry for the people in the seats just sitting there not even clapping but I had a ball and I swear Morrissey looked at me a few times...honest...no really he did! I wouldnt say it was better than the first one I went to but it was still very very very very very very good! hope everyone had a good time.

Although it did start to fill out slightly just before Morrissey came on I'd say the arena was only 2/3 full at the very best.

PJ Harvey played to about 500 people standing by the stage and a few scattered about in the seating areas.

"Welcome to a very costly emotional adventure..... for me anyway" was Morrissey's opening line and the only reference he made to the blocks of empty seats.

From there on in he gave a very good, very relaxed performance, almost - in the best possible way - like a bit of a jam with the band, who sounded fantastic tonight.

A horrid venue - made all the nicer by really friendly staff - probably did sound awful from the back but from up close to the stage it was loud and punchy. But stood on concrete with a cavernous stainless steel roof high above you does not make for a cosy gig.

Bigmouth was excellent, and The More You Ignore Me was musically exceptional - Jesse is the man.

But there were lots of negatives about this gig. The crowd really was muted. Some people, twenty meters from the stage, were either checking text messages or looking at their watches as Moz crashed through You Know I Couldn't Last and others. The main problem was there were people standing stock still and not even applauding and a few attention seekers who were bouncing all over the place throwing beer at people. It never fails to amaze me at some of the dicks that turn up to Morrissey gigs.

Some really good banter;
"You'll have to excuse the television appearances. As you'll have guessed the reason for them was that.... well, we learnt today that our new single is currently at number 4.... [applause] ... Wait, hang on, I don't think I've got my hands around Band Aid's throat yet.... But, if you've got an elderly relative, buy a second copy for her. Oh, that was horrible of me wasn't it? Never mind it's done now."

When the (slightly feeble) 'Morrissey' chant started up he sung "Sing to me, Sing to me..." from 'Asleep'.

"My motto is; don't explain it, just accept it." (before Daddy's Voice)

Oh, and Redondo Beach was definately one of the highlights of the set - it's a brilliant cover.

This was my 11th gig of the year and I thought it was really good. Redondo Beach was awesome and Bigmouth was amazing. As someone said before, Jesse is the man.

I wish people would stop complaining about the number of b-sides being played. The point of this tour is to plug the platinum Quarry release so they've got to play them really. And it's not as if they're crap anyway. Slight shame Everyday Is Like Sunday is no longer in the setlist though.

And the crowd in the seating area were terrible. I was the only one standing up in the block I was in singing and swaying totally out of time with the music. It was full of people who knew the name and thought they'd go along as he was there rather than being passionate about it, which is why I prefer standing at the front like I have done at all the other gigs this year I've been to (except Newcastle).

I'm starting to ramble now so I'll stop.

That was one of the most brutal gigs, I've ever been to in my life. I seen some of most heaviest rock bands around and even I struggled to survive. i just hit the deck during 'You know I couldn't last'

The set list was mint, It was so nice that he played a couple of slows ones. if he hadn't I would have not got out alive. To hear 'Friday Mourning' live was magic.

Roll the biggie at earls court on saturday :)

What was the problem with some of the crowd. I was asked to sit down by someone behind when dancing to "There is a light...".

Great night overall. Redonda Beach and Friday Mourning were excellent. What is it about Morrissey and b-sides live - the most pedestrian song becomes a belter when played in concert.

Someone will probably shoot me for this but I also thought the bootleg Smiths t-shirts were nice outside!

Did she say anything to the crowd this time? Apparently she's always quiet at concerts. But I loved her all the same in Glasgow and was thrilled when I heard she was supporting Moz - a dream line-up if ever there was - as I was gutted I missed her concert at the Academy the other month. I'd definitely like to see her on her own with her fans and a more appreciative crowd. I wonder if she and Moz met backstage. I'd love some sort of collaboration between those two, a PJ song with Moz lyrics or something, but that'll never happen, the two of them at the same concert is great enough.

It was my 3rd Moz concert of the year; Move Festival, Manchester (life changing), Bridlington Spa (close-up,intimate, more life-changing) Birmingham NIA ( impersonal,disinterested crowd,bad venue akin to a sports hall). That aside I enjoyed myself as a Moz fan of 20 years - I was that woman in Block 8 who (dared to) stand up and dance - even my husband told me to sitdown for fear of me being lynched by the lobotomised masses in the seats! Why go to see Moz if you're just going to sit there catatonic?
Would have loved to see more gigs - some of us have jobs & kids though. Moz looked tired. Glad I saw him at beginning of year, preferred that.
Hookey t-shirts outside £10 in Birmingham, only £5 in Brid and Manchester- North/South divide?

make of this what you will, it will hit the newstands soon!

British singer Morrissey is reportedly planning to retire next year after hinting to fans his current world tour could be his last.

His first album in four years, You Are The Quarry, has proved a hit with fans and critics alike, but he is not happy in the business.

A source says: "Morrissey has been making hints during his shows, telling fans that this could be his last tour. The word is, he'll release his final single early next year.

"He has never wanted to become an ageing rocker."

Morrissey's spokesperson adds: "I honestly don't know. The fans probably know more than we do."

I'll be brief:
1] Crowd were piss poor - this is the 6th time i have seen Moz, 3rd time this year, and the crowd's pathetic attempts at "Mor-ris-sey, Mor-ris-sey, Mor-ris-sey" were embarassing - the atmosphere was the worst by a million miles.
2] Set list was good, I'd prefer just a couple less Smiths songs and more from his solo imo.
3] Moz's performance was excellent, very relaxed, great vocals; a little less chatty than usual though :-/
4] car park was sh*t - took me as long to get out of the local NCP as it did to drive 90 miles back to Liverpool (no exageration!)
5] The band were very very tight, i remember one bad note from Boz (think he actually cringed as he played it) but The More You Ignore Me (with Mikey on acoustic guitar) was particularly superb.
6] I did get the distinct impression that he was retiring.
7] He said hello to "Janice" (possibly Janice Long??) and happy birthday to Linder (Linder Sterling??) and mentioned Julia possibly 3 times. I think I saw her arriving into the crowd around 8:20. I don't envy her the way some do, good luck to her for having the time and money to go to every gig!
8] Overall, a great show ruined somewhat by the crap "vibe". This may be my last gig as I want to keep the memory of watching Moz as special as possible and having "just ok" experiences where people seem as interested in their mobile phones and their next ciggie/beer/joint is not gonna help hold that thought :-(

I'm gonna get torn to pieces for saying this - but it must be said.

The Merchandise was AWFULL!!!

rubbish Jobraith and NYD pastiche t-shirts.

£4.00 for THREE tiny pin badges ( manufacturing costs - 00.01p)

and the rosary was terrible - eighteen squid for something that should be in Top Man - really disposable.

totally lacking any finess - he's really fumbled the ball with the merchandise over the last few years - it all used to be so good and well thought through.

Were there any attempts to invade the stage? Did anyone make it? Did anyone try?

http://www.morrisseypictures.com/

It might seem a controversial point but why do idiots moan about people sitting in their seats?
I was there with my eight-year-old lad so had to buy a seat. So we all sat and enjoyed the gig.
But, surely, if you want to stand and dance then why don't you buy a ground ticket and do that with the rest of the crowd?
To me, standing up in front of somebody and obscuring their view is just totally out of order, selfish and ignorant.
Not everyone wants to stand up and dance. Some like to come, sit and enjoy the show. For one minute of your lives could you not think about others around you?
You listen to the music but do you understand it?
Wouldn't it be a revolutionary thought to wonder about other people for once in your lives?

That's the main problem here isn't it?

I didn't go to the RFH gigs in the summer because I assumed he'd be doing a proper venue down south at some point (RFH is shit for pop artists, it was built for classical). I was looking forward to somewhere like Brixton. I've ended up having to make do with standing tickets for Earls Court. After all these reviews I'm really hoping it won't be a disappointment.

I can appreciate if he's offered these gigs it's hard to turn down because it's a bit of an ego boost after all the lean years (and no, I don't think he's just doing it for the money) but I hope he's got it out of his system now and will go back to more sensible venues in future.

the gig was great. Polly's and Moz's setlists were both very very good. thank you PJ for doing down by the water and meet ze monsta.
I feel sorry for the people who didn't get standing tickets, it sounds deader than Manchester. the atmosphere on the floor was great I thought, though I couldn't survive in the moshpit. I know, I wouldn't live at a metal concert.
Redondo Beach, Last Night I Dreamt, There is a Light, First of the Gang, November = brilliant

Well thats what i thought. I got 3 rows from the bars on the right side as you enter the areana. And there were only me and this woman who were moz pitting so in the end it wasnt a pit.And there was this big fat lad stood next to me who didnt know any of the word to any songs.and he wouldnt even let people past him and he was shocked when he was getting pushed around.I pretty sure he wont read this cos he isnt even a fan probably.I think had moz made eye contact me and there had been a moz pit which i thought there would be, i think i would have enjoyed it more. That fat lad and many others seemed to be there to say yeah i have seen morrissey arent i great.

who is julia?

First a deadpan scouse voice recites a dark cultural list: "Stock, Aitken and Waterman, Myra Hindley, acid rain." Then the wailing riff and arching melancholy of the Smiths' classic How Soon is Now? leap from the speakers. Morrissey is starting this tour exactly as he started his last one. Tonight he dresses like a vicar, wields his mic like a bullwhip, exchanges mystifying dialogue with the fans at the front and spends much of November Spawned a Monster rolling around on his back while a clarinet parps. He changes his shirt three times, generating a wave of excitement each time, once pausing to fan his chest with his dog collar.

For a man possessed of such majesty - not to mention a dose of songwriting genius - Morrissey has spent much of his solo career sounding like a journeyman. This year's triumphant comeback was based as much on fashion's changing tides as on the album You Are the Quarry, a solid but unspectacular record that felt heavy on filler.

He plays some of the album tonight, but while in a smaller venue Morrissey's force of personality can make the likes of new single I Have Forgiven Jesus sound essential, in this hangar such songs sound pompous and empty.

Thankfully, the lulls do not last. Shoplifters of the World Unite comes with a glorious roar, while the tempestuous Irish Blood, English Heart sounds more vital every time he plays it. Then Morrissey lets victory slip from his grasp. A funereal Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me is the only encore, and as he troops off in presumed triumph, it's hard not to feel short-changed. He is offering little that is new: taking advantage of his popularity, not building on it. Fine for hardcore fans, but disappointing for the rest of us

Fair?

I really enjoyed last night and I knew people would whine about there being too many b-sides, and the crowd being poor etc etc etc but what has really pi**ed me off is that James Maker seems to have been only a figment of my imagination. The lad did over half an hour and I personally thought he was great, as he was in Manchester in the summer. However this site is littered with posts referencing PJ Harvey and her ear shattering screaming but not a single reference to James. He was there, He was great (in my opinion) so lets give the lad and his mates some credit eh!

Wish he'd drop Irish Blood and replace with Now My Heart is Full and drop Daddys Voice for Candle.

I agree with most of what has been said, Moz was excellent and the crowd was untypical of Morrissey gigs in that it was not particularly manic.

PJ Harvey was captivating though, and I was pleased and amused to note that those who had plenty of mouth as faceless contributors online and planned silly, childish protests during her set were conspicuous by your complete absence!

Loved the concert though the people around me werent very enthusiastic, i had a very nice time, it was the 1st time i saw him me being slightly tipsy hehe. Only problem was that me and my friend in the end wanted to go out to some place where they would play morrissey or like an aftershow party but couldnt find it and had to go to some very strange nightclub lol.
everyone was very friendly in the concert specially when i would tell that im from portugal. Some kind girl even gave us two cigarretes for freeee lol. I loved last night.

No, not Morrissey, who was excellent, but the same list of complaints against people who were sitting down, making out that we were just tourists who didn't really know who he was. In my case, at least, this is NOT true. I knew the words to every song, I have all the albums and many of the singles. I sat there, and I enjoyed every minute of it. No, I didn't get up and dance - I wanted to LISTEN. It's the way I enjoy a gig. Even when I'm in the standing area I do more listening than jiggling about. My friend got out her mobile phone to try and take a picture of the stage, NOT to text others as some have said. Those who wish to get up and dance, even in the seats, fine. I would never complain, it's up to you. But please don't tell me that I'm not a proper Moz fan if I just sit there and listen. I go for the music. I loved it. I clapped very, very enthusiastically. And that's my right. I do not have to "gurgle in the circle" if I don't want to. I thought Moz was on top form, witty banter, great singing, acoustics of venue were not too great, perhaps one too many b-sides, but those are only VERY small gripes. But it is irritating when those who didn't stay in their seats make out that those who did aren't proper fans. NOT TRUE. And, in the spirit of independent thought and decision which Moz would approve of, I can enjoy the gig however I like.

But I do think it's OK to talk about how things could have been even better.

It was a great gig and a great night. I've seen him on 4 tours since 1995 and his vocal is better than ever, no question. Venue was fine - for an arena - and the crowd were excellent. Very appreciative and vocal and both Morrissey and the band were CLEARLY and repeatedly very pleased with us! You can so easily tell when a band and an audience are clicking and last night was exceptional for such a vacuaous venue. His Nibs was in very good spirits, chatty and even playful. But......

I've posted before about my Morrissey/Smiths relationship. I've stated my case as someine who would take Moz's back catalogue to my desert island over The Smiths' so cards are on the table. Now saying that, I also love The Smiths, but when I get 5 Smiths songs and NOTHING from 5 of Morrissey's studio albums, I'm a bit disappointed. No Viva Hate, No Your Arsenal (Almost unforgivable!), only TMYIMTCIG from Vauxall, Nothing from Southpaw or Maladjusted (many might say phew to those two but I think that in parts they contain some of his VERY best). That's just not right! I'm all for an artist concentrating on the now, enjoying their recent compositions, so Quarry SHOULD be well represented. B-sides? Mixed feelings here. I like them, Friday Mourning less so, but again to play 4 with so little taken from elsewhere was slightly disappointing. And not to get How can anyone possibly know...after he's played it all year was a gutter. It's my favourite Quarry track. Boo.
TIALTNGO does not have to be an encore. In fact I'd rather have a Morrissey than a Smiths encore. And it was good, the crowd singing was awsome. But it was, like in Glasgow, SOOOOOOOO slow! And though, again a great track, LNIDTSLM is NOT a closer. Either You Know I Couldn't LAst or IBEH (Probably my highlight of the gig, if not my favourite song) would have been better.

I know I sound like I am just whining, but really I'm not. It was fantastic! I just have such a fondness for his music (as do many who post here) that it was for me a long way from a mega-set list, personally. I don't need to hear him play the Smiths. Did I mention that?

I don't think I'll ever get to vthe heights of Aston Villa Leisure Centre, Feb 95 again. But that's OK. Why don't you find out for yourself....I've heard it live. I'm a happy man. No really.

Ben

A big venue needs big songs, simple as that. That's the only way you are going create any atmosphere at all in the seats. Hopefully he will make some adjustments before EC. He just needs to ditch a couple of b-sides and add couple of more show stoppers (just like when he added HSIN after a rather flat reaction at Glastonbury and look at the result). He has enough of them. Fingers crossed. Of course he could get up and sing Mary Had A Little Lamb and I would go bananas, so I'll be happy either way. I'm not expecting this to be the best Morrissey gig I have ever seen just because of the venue anyway. But it's still an event not to be missed...

6th gig this summer for me last night, and musically, by far the best. As sad as i am about Alain's departure, Jesse has added something. They seem a complete unit and the product is electric. Moz seemed to enjoy him self and Bigmouth was amazing. Shame the place wasn't full but hey i was there and i don't care.
The merchandising is poor, the rosary beads £18 and the badges seemed a rip off.

Apparently IHFJ is No 4 presently, so as moz says "go out and buy a 2nd copy for an elderley relative"

Overall a good as it has been.

I have not checked the site in a while, but I see a new song in the set
list. Does anyone have Redondo Beach on MP3. I could exchange an MP3 of Striptease with a Difference or I have an excellent recording of one of the 5 L.A. shows from the beginning of the tour.

Jerry ---Milwaukee WI

Please, share this show if anyone could record it.

How or when we can download it?

Sorry to say but myself and others warned about how bad this venue was when the date was announced, but hey it's Morrissey so we all knew we'd still would go anyway, if only to see maybe his last time in Brum?
I agree a lot of the crowd seemed disinterested and his name alone and no other interest may have bought those people out to see him.
Venue notwithstanding, I thought it was a good Moz performance with YKICL being a real highlight for me. I'm afraid though it's going to take some performance to top the MEN gig for me, probably the only time Moz has really mastered playing an arena (I hate arena gigs but if it's the choice between seeing Moz or not it's just something I'll have to put up with!)
Here's hoping Earls Court can be special and top off a wonderful year for Mozzer. See you there!

on the set list is says subway train intro then munich air disaster. did moz not play everyday is like sunday? or did he use subway train intro for munich air disaster???