Morrissey
Manchester G-Mex
23rd December, 2006

View: centre, standing

Tonight’s show is Moz’s sixth 2006 bow in Manchester alone, and he’s in chipper mood. Stalking on stage behind a Sacha Distel record sleeve, he announces, “Let freedom be the essence of the night,” before remarking how much Accrington has changed. Mozzaphiles the world over may carp about the lack of variation in set-lists, but there’s no denying that Panic and First Of The Gang To Die are anthemic fire-starters. The latter, alongside Irish Blood, English Heart, elicit idol worship from the faithful, while Disappointed and Ganglord also prove to be highlights, Morrissey bolstered by RC contributor Boz Boorer’s muscular guitar tones. His tremolo and slide near raise the roof, while How Soon Is Now? is extraordinary and Dear God, Please Help Me had people dabbing away tears. Hoisted onto the shoulders of Boorer and Jessie Tobias prior to a glorious finale of Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want and Don’t Make Fun Of Daddy’s Voice, love or loathe him, Morrissey is an essential live experience.

Reviewed by Rob Hughes
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