Review: July 2, 2007 - Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA

Here is an online review of the show I attended:


The Queen Is Dead / The Last Of The Famous International Playboys / You Have Killed Me / Disappointed / Ganglord / The National Front Disco / Let Me Kiss You / Girlfriend In A Coma / Everyday Is Like Sunday / All You Need Is Me / The Boy With The Thorn In His Side / Irish Blood, English Heart / I Will See You In Far Off Places / Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want / First Of The Gang To Die / That's How People Grow Up / I Just Want To See The Boy Happy / How Soon Is Now? // You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side


The last time DCist reviewed a Morrissey concert -- in September of 2004 -- the Mighty Mozzer had canceled two shows in California the week before taking the stage at D.A.R. that night. As you might know, Morrissey was forced to postpone four shows last week due to a chest cold, proving once again that the more things change, the more they stay the same. And for Morrissey, that's not a bad thing at all.

Morrisseypressphoto.jpg Finally hitting the East Coast on his never ending tour in support of last year's excellent return to form, Ringleaders of the Tormentors, Morrissey sounded a bit froggy at times, but eventually worked himself into shape in front of a rapturous Wolf Trap crowd last night. He took the stage in a black suit and shirt with a yellow tie and said "By Grand Central Station, I sat down and I wept," which led into rough and tumble versions of "The Queen Is Dead" and "The Last of the Famous International Playboys," both of which suffered from too much vocals and not enough guitar and drums in the sound mix. The band (and sound man) settled down nicely during an outstanding "You Have Killed Me" and got better as the night wore on.

Morrissey addressed his recent ailments saying "As some of you may know, the lungs I'm using tonight are not my own," going on to say he was poisoned last week from watching Fox News. The conservative news channel and our current President were repeated targets during the show. During "Playboys", Morrissey sang "In our lifetime / those who kill / Fox News hands them stardom." As you might expect, the strict vegetarian wasn't very happy with Wolf Trap's "unfortunate" name. He suggested "Bush Trap" as a better alternative.

As for the set, he touched on all points in his career. Classics from The Smiths like "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" and "Girlfriend In A Coma" were standout additions, solo classics like "Everyday Is Sunday" delighted the casual fans and "The National Front Disco" and "You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side", a pair of rockers from Your Arsenal, delighted the obsessives.

Only two enterprising people tried to rush the stage, somewhat of a tradition at Morrissey shows, and neither got very far thanks to venue security. Instead, Morrissey was content to shake the hands of the people in front of the stage. Near the end of the set, before singing a gorgeous "Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want", Morrissey deadpanned "I think I've got the sympathy vote. I'll take it." He's not quite fighting fit yet, but he gave his all last night and the crowd certainly reciprocated.

Unfortunately it looks like last night's show took it's toll. Morrissey has postponed his show tonight in Baltimore. What was that about the more things change...?

Written by Kyle Gustafson , 3 July 2007 ( posted at http://DCist.com )

I was at this show just knowing how incredibly lucky I was to even be there, with so many recent cancellations. I didn't detect any issues with his voice, he sounded as he always does...Divine. By the last set he looked a little weary, perhaps it was the heat. I believe he did cut his last set a few songs short. It was sad to see him go, but the ending is always bittersweet. My favorite was the rolling around on the stage, almost beckoning stage runners to join him. Ah, if only he had the blessed gladiolas in his back pocket, life may have been perfect.




This was my third Moz show. My first in 1991, the Kill Uncle tour. The audience in 1991 was much more lively and excited, the more recent shows (wolf Trap and Constitution Hall, DC a few years ago) were much more subdued, either the crowds are aging or just getting dull. I was equally energetic and danced happy at all three shows but i felt as though i was intruding on the other more mature viewers of the show with my antics. Why are the audiences so laid back and unexcited at the VA area shows? I wanna rush the stage next go around. It's time.

I might try another city next tour, just to get a more lively crowd. I know they are out there. Where are my people??