New Brunswick, Nov. 21

I attended both shows in Chicago, and despite what people said about them, found both to be incredible experiences and couldn't imagine them being better. I found myself craving more, however, and when I read news that Morrissey would be hitting New Brunswick, where I have quite a number of friends, I made arrangements to try and go. Unfortunately, it was during a weekend that separated two sets of finals, so, while I could go for the weekend, I could not stay for long. It was good enough for me.

My friend Donna managed, with startling camping-out endurance, to get us a set of third row center seats. Had the first two rows not been taken up by promoters and such, we would certainly been right up front.

We arrived just after the Smoking Popes had begun playing. Being from Chicago, I have seen the Smoking Popes several times since the release of their first independent album. I remember the first time I saw them in a near-empty bar, which was quite an interesting contrast to this sold out 1800 capacity high-class theatre. I never imagined finding myself sitting in such an auditorium seeing the Popes, but I found the situation humorous enough to be quite happy with it. I was disappointed to see they added another guitarist and Josh primarily sings now, as his guitar solos were one of the things that really made them powerful.

After their set we went out and poked around the merchandise table. The lights in the lobby flashed and we went back down to our seats. It was still a bit of a wait after that, and the adrenaline was building up ferociously. After fifteen to twenty minutes, the lights went out and the drum solo began. The back drop appeared in the projected image of the swimming photo that adorns the tour shirts and backstage passes.

Morrissey appeared dressed in a long sleeve pink shirt unbuttoned down a bit, gray slacks, and the shoes he is wearing on the album cover. He grunted hello and Boz began playing the opening riff of "Boy Racer."

To much disappointment, the people in the first two rows did not stand and most would remain seated for the entirety of the evening. Moz seemed a little discouraged by that, I really think some real fans should have been up there. He made comment that seemed to make reference to that later saying something like, "It seems it's another quiet Friday night."

A well-performed "Alma Matters" was followed by "London," which got quite a bit of cheering. Security was very very tight at this show, and I think this discouraged many people from getting up close to the stage. This lack of energy I think may have slightly affected Moz's mood, but not enough to really damage the performance.

After "London" came a block of songs from Vauxhall. Very few flowers had made it to the stage, but Moz picked up one small bunch and, presumably trying to incite some reaction, tossed them at some bored immobile woman in the front row. She was totally unprepared for this and threw them back immediately, as if disgusted. He slithered his way back, picked them up, and tossed them right back! I managed to lean forward and grab the bulk of them, the people around me grabbing bits of them.

On the far left and right side of the stage, people gathered and pushed up enough against the bouncers to be close enough to touch Moz when he came over, and he held out his hand to them. He only visited either side about twice each, I think, but continued to walk in that direction to tease the same people who were there the whole time.

After a little while it occurred to me that there was no point in keeping the flowers, as I lived in Chicago and they would not survive a flight, even if I did want to take them on board with me. I determined that I would throw them to Morrissey. The last thing I expected was that he would catch them right in midair! He immediately tossed them aside, but I hardly expected that he would be so nimble.

The set had many more gems, most of all "Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself," perhaps my favorite Morrissey song. I was so happy to hear it, after it missed the set list on both Chicago shows. When "The Teachers Are Afraid Of The Pupils" began, I was frightened that it would be the end, as he ended the first Chicago show with it. Luckily came two more songs, last of which was "Paint a Vulgar Picture," my favorite song performed during this tour.

Standing at my seat was too far to reach Moz's hand, and I really did want to hold his hand if nothing else. He hadn't even seemed to give thought to going to either wing in quite some time, but I determined that I must give it a shot. Halfway through the song I went out into the aisle and walked to the stage on the right side. Shocked was I that Moz made the same trek simultaneously and held his hand out directly to me right as I got there. I was so shocked and happy! I could hardly believe, but he must have seen me leave my seat and guessed my intention and gone along with it. I took his hand and I found myself gazing into his eyes singing with him, "Me and my true love will never meet again." I don't think I can recall a happier moment.

They left the stage and a few minutes reappeared. Moz had changed to an almost identical light blue shirt. "Shoplifters Of The World" commenced. I was right up against the stage with a bouncer to my immediate left. I wanted very much to get up on the stage, but also didn't want to get murdered by a hungry bouncer. Luckily, or so I thought, a man directly to the left of the bouncer tried to get up. The bouncer grabbed at him and instantly I jumped to the stage. Quite unexpectedly I was smashed down by the very deft bouncer, who was probably twice my weight and very very strong. Pain is seldom delivered in such unpleasant quantities. I found myself on the left of the bouncer now.

My body was actually more wounded than my pride, so I was determined to make a second attempt. The stage began to fill with rushers, and people were jumping up all over the place. Two people went simultaneously to the right of the bouncer and once again I jumped. This time I made it, and ran right to Moz and wrapped my arms around him. At this point excitement forces me to black out, but I found myself lying on my back at the front of the stage, with my friend Donna struggling over me with a bouncer. I pulled the two apart and Donna tried to make a lunge for Morrissey, but was nabbed by a bouncer from the side of the stage. I managed to remain on the stage for the duration of the song.

All in all, the trip was quite worth it and the show was fabulous. I can only hope that Morrissey does not wait another five years before coming back.