THE GALLERY: Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18

Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

 

 

 

Words & pics by Eleanor Sutcliffe

I never truly clicked with Morrissey’s music, I’ll admit – as a youngster, my dad was much fonder of playing me bands such as The Clash and The Jam as opposed to the man in question.

However, I can remember my best friend in sixth form playing me a handful of tracks from Viva Hate and they’ve been imprinted in the far corners of my brain ever since. So, when the opportunity arose to catch Morrissey at the Genting Arena, performing tracks from his latest album Low in High School, I knew I had go. Back to school it was. Plus, it’s not often you get to see musicians of this standing so up close.

Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham ReviewAnd up close it was. Making my way through the sea of blue jeans and quiffed hair, I picked up my pass and waited to be escorted through to the photo pit. Swarms of fans, who all somehow looked identical, were buzzing into the arena. But not to catch a support act; a video was being played on stage showing highlights from Morrissey’s career.

I’ve taken lots of photos of artists over the years – from shows in tiny rundown venues, to sold out arena concerts with thousands of people. But standing at the front of Morrisey’s near Genting Arena crowd, I don’t think I’ve ever shot a show where an audience has been this absorbed and entranced by a performer.

Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham ReviewSo, as the curtain drops and Morrissey glides on stage, I am expecting his near 15,000 strong fans to go hysterical. But instead, it’s a subdued sense of wonder that encompasses the room for the following hour or so. Yes, some scream and shout as he wanders over to them, clutching their hands while singing Elvis Presley’s ‘You’ll Be Gone’ – but the majority stand still and stare in blatant wonder. As someone who is used to crowd surfers and mosh pits, it’s a bit bloody odd. But it’s odd in the best way. Tonight is true appreciation.

Morrissey’s setlist reflects the man himself too – uncompromising; a complete mixed bag of covers, newer releases, and some of his earliest work. The show itself is as blatantly political, with a video screen at the back showing brutal animal cruelty during ‘The Bullfighter Dies’ which causes even the hardest of men in the room to wince.Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

A tribute to the likes of Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne and David Pegg is played during ‘Munich Air Disaster 1958’, while clips of police brutality are aired for ‘Who Will Protect Us from The Police?’ Each track is interspersed with a picture of Morrissey deep in thought, a cigarette poised between his fingers.

Yes, for me some parts of the evening drag slightly. Morrissey’s newest work doesn’t send the room into stupor quite like ‘I Started Something I Can’t Finish’, and there’s something slightly nauseating watching him sing ‘When You Open Your Legs’.

However, tonight’s show at the Genting Arena is, overall, a success. It’s annoyingly impressive. Morrissey makes the stage his own in a way that few ex-front man ever can, with a five figure crowd united in ardent appreciation. And whomever your musical idols may be, from whatever era, that’s something not many will ever achieve.

 

 

 

Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

For more on Morrissey, visit www.morrisseyofficial.com

For more from the Genting Arena, including full event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.gentingarena.co.uk

BPREVIEW: Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18

Morrissey @ Genting Arena 27.02.18

Words by Eleanor Sutcliffe

Morrissey will be performing at the Genting Arena on the 27th February, as part of his first full UK tour since 2015 – giving Birmingham fans the opportunity to hear tracks from his latest album, Low in High School.

Doors open from 6pm, with tickets priced from £40.50 – as presented by SJM Concerts/Gigs and Tours. For direct gig information, including venue details and online ticket sales, click here.

Low in High School is Morrissey’s eleventh studio album, and crept its way into the UK charts back when it was released last November. In typical Morrissey fashion, however, it wasn’t the music that received the most attention but the album’s cover art. True, if you want to be noticed then by all means emblazon your latest album with a photo of a child holding a sign exclaiming to axe the monarchy. And an axe. Anyone else might think twice about the consequences of being so outspoken. Not Morrissey.

Which is exactly why his fan base is so loyal. There’s no hiding behind a false persona with this man – what you see is, blatantly, what you get. It’s something that’s carried him through the years from when he fronted the Smiths right up to the blossoming of his solo career. Morrissey‘s fiercely outspoken attitude and carefully crafted aesthetic of a social recluse resonates with fans across the world.

Granted, Morrissey‘s solo career has also been a bit of a roller-coaster. Solo albums such as his debut Viva Hate and the 1994 release Vauxhall and I received unanimous acclaim from even the most hardened critics, while others such as Kill Uncle were described by the musician himself as being saturated with ‘session musician embalming fluid’ and subsequently fell at the very first hurdle.

But endorsed by some of music’s most loyal fans, it’s never a dull moment when you see this man on stage. The live shows themselves can create a touch of controversy here and there with Morrissey‘s personal and political thoughts coming off stage in more than just lyrics, and I’m intrigued to see what he brings to the Genting Arena. A strong portfolio of new tracks and fan favourites, no doubt. But, I mean, anything could happen. It’s Morrissey.

‘Spent the Day in Bed’ – Morrissey (from his latest album, Low in High School)

Morrissey performs at the Genting Arena on Tuesday 27th February, as presented by SJM Concerts/Gigs and Tours. For direct gig information, including venue details and online ticket sales, visit www.gentingarena.co.uk/whats-on/morrissey

For more on Morrissey, visit www.morrisseyofficial.com

For more from SJM Concerts/Gigs and Tours, visit www.gigsandtours.com

For more from the Genting Arena, including full event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.gentingarena.co.uk