I've seen him over the last decade a few times and love the guy, but his setlist is fairly static these days. I'm not a hater so don't bombard me with 'WAAAH IF YOU DON'T LIKE HIM DON'T GO'! I do like him. I just like a bit of variation. I'd go in a second if he announced a curve ball - like in support of the Viva Hate reissue he was going to perform that in full, coupled with the usual numbers he likes. Or Vauxhall. A Strangeways night! Or even numbers from Quarry, Ringleader or Years that don't get an airing. Something different. A Marr included one night only affair. An acoustic night. Anything
I love the man but I think we all now even now pretty much what 15 - 17 of the tracklisting will be. I'm not really interested in laying down £40 to go and hear First of the bleeding Gang once more. The M.E.N night on his birthday in 2004 ish, I was at that and that was excellent so the venue itself isn't really an issue although agreed the Apollo would be better. The best gigs I've seen him at was in Birmingham in 2002 ish and an impromptu gig in New York when I just happened to be on holiday there around 2007. Seriously the Brum gig - excellent EXCELLENT night and my first Moz gig after getting into the Smiths around 2000. He shook my hand and it was truely special and I'm not typically starstruck.
Anyway I digress. May pony up for a ticket - the aftershows in Manc are usually worth it alone with the people you meet.