Morrissey wins over LA crowd with career-spanning hits

The Smiths legend sells out massive Hollywood Bowl

Morrissey charmed a massive crowd at the sold-out Hollywood Bowl last night (June 8), running through several hits spanning his three-decade long career.

Playing for an 18,000-strong audience, Morrissey began his set with the classic Smith‘s tune, ‘The Queen Is Dead’, which garnered huge cheers from the crowd.

Looking dapper in a white suit and a black dress-shirt, the star did little to fend off the audience members who jumped on stage throughout the night to hug and kiss their idol.

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The former Smiths frontman and his five-piece, all-male backing band ran through several crowd-pleasers from The Smiths era as well as Morrissey‘s extensive solo catalogue, including ‘Last Of The Famous International Playboys’ and ‘Girlfriend In A Coma’.

“It’s been 15 years since they allowed me into the Hollywood Bowl, so thank you for sustaining your interest, or renewing your interest. Or if you were born in the last 15 years, as most of you were, I’m very grateful,” he said to the youthful crowd.

Morrissey‘s voice was in top form throughout the nearly two-hour set, which saw him tear off his shirt three times before the night was through.

He occasionally got political, changing the chorus of ‘I Will See You In Far Off Places’ to “If George W Bush doesn’t kill you, I will see you in far off places.”

Throughout the night, the veteran performer grabbed the hands of fans in the front row, and graciously accepted gifts they handed to him, including shirts, a book, and a bouquet of roses.

“You have to think of the incredible legends who walked on this stage,” Morrissey said. “Charles Nelson Reilly, Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller…and me,” he quipped.

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After a few upbeat numbers, Morrissey said, “Don’t get too perky,” before playing the dark ‘Life Is A Pigsty’, which left him dramatically writhing on the floor.

Morrissey wasn’t too cynical to bring the mood up before saying goodnight, giving the crowd a rousing rendition of The Smiths‘ classic, ‘How Soon Is Now’, punctuated by a bombastic gong and drum finale.

The star returned for a three-song encore that concluded with another legendary Smiths tune, ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’.

Before leaving the stage, Morrissey took a moment to gaze out over the expanisve, adoring audience, and seemed genuinely moved.

Morrissey played:

‘The Queen Is Dead’

‘Last Of The Famous International Playboys’

‘Ganglord’

‘National Front Disco’

‘Disappointed’

‘Girlfriend In A Coma’

‘Let Me Kiss You’

‘The Boy With A Thorn In His Side’

‘Every Day Is Like Sunday’

‘Irish Blood, English Heart’

‘All You Need Is Me’

‘First Of The Gang To Die’

‘I Just Want to See the Boy Happy’

‘I Will See You In Far Off Places’

‘That’s How People Grow Up’

‘Life is a Pigsty’

‘How Soon Is Now’

‘Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want’

‘You’re Gonna Need Someone On Your Side’

‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’

–By our Los Angeles staff.

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