San Diego - August 20 Concert Review

I’ve decided to split my reviews into two parts, as I have no idea how to ever say anything in a concise fashion.  I’m surprised I can handle twitter at all with its character limitations, and I’m sure if I ever manage to complete my goal of writing my own novel one day, it will be so long no one will ever bother reading it.  Anyway here we go!

I’m finally starting to organize my thoughts after what was a very spur of the moment trip to San Diego.  I haven’t even unpacked yet but who cares? I’ll just pretend I’m still travelling and that I’m going to FYF tonight while I slosh back a bottle of Pinot Noir and watch Benicassim.

As I was saying, I have a tendency to be rather long-winded, so I’ll try my best not to go into all the details of my travels – even though I have enough stories there to blab on for hours. Oh, you all know I would – and I probably will somewhat.  I had some very interesting switch-ups occur, including being promoted to first class on my fight from Seattle to San Diego (they give you free food, hot towels, and “linens!”), and having to move hotels at the last minute after the cab driver seemed legitimately concerned for my safety if I stayed at the hotel I had initially booked.  I adored the place I ended up staying at, as it had an old-Hollywood, glamorous feel, with portraits of 1950’s and 60’s starlets, chandeliers, and a piano in the lobby (obviously, I’m never looking at my Visa bill again)…

When I finally settled into my hotel, I decided to walk down to check out the venue.  I noticed people were already queuing the evening before the show, and some had been there all day; I recognized some of them from the Hollywood High show, which was quite exciting. I spoke to them for a while and then returned to my hotel, a little concerned that I would not get a good place in line if I waited until the next morning, but I knew I should try to get some rest. I attempted to allay my pre-concert jitters by sipping some room-temperature vodka out of a plastic cup and turning my ancient, panting lap-top on to watch the Larry King interview I had been aching to see all day. 

The Venue

The next morning I woke up and got ready, making it to the venue by 9 a.m. I was pleased and surprised to see the line-up had hardly changed overnight.  As someone who has never queued before, I found the experience initially somewhat intimidating, but I soon realized it’s truly enjoyable.  Let me put it this way: I’m intensely introverted and honestly feel uncomfortable around people most of the time, but I loved talking to the people in the queue and meeting them.  I think there is an instant bond between many Morrissey fans (the word “fan” doesn’t quite seem right here… because it goes deeper than that) and it was wonderful to share stories and encounters.  I showed photos and the video of Morrissey taking my letter last month and everyone was so happy for me.

It also suddenly dawned on me that I was sitting cross-legged on a towel in the street, talking to tons of people for 10 hours and I ADORED every second of it.  I’ve alluded to being somewhat high maintenance in the past, avoiding people is a fierce addiction for me, and I’m rather particular about cleanliness – but suddenly none of these charming traits I'm afflicted with mattered in the least.  I was almost... relaxed? And I was having fun... my self consciousness nearly evaporated.

Around 5pm we had the delight of listening to the sound check through a side door.  When Morrissey started singing we leant our heads as close as we could against the door – and we were surprised and full of anticipation to hear them sound-check Let the Right One Slip In and Oboe Concerto. By the way, Oboe sounds absolutely glorious – I feel tremendously lucky to have even heard it sound checked. Now for the review of the first show:

They opened doors around 7 p.m. and I ran in as fast as I could, securing a spot in second row near the centre, slightly towards Jesse’s side.  The venue was built in the 1920's and had a certain elegance to it, with merlot coloured walls and ornate golden accenting.  I made sure to stand behind the shortest people I could find, as the barrier was already full.  It got squishy, but I was surprised by my resiliency (perhaps 32 is the new 17!) and I hung on, hung on, hung on…my heart pounding, eyes dazzled, and elbows sharpened, watching the pre-show videos, waiting for Morrissey to arrive on stage. My ability to stand my ground in spite of all the pushing, and on almost no sleep, makes me wonder if the mind does in fact rule the body… 

When Morrissey and the band walked out there was a massive thrust through the audience like a jolt of energy, or a wave.  It was rougher than the other two shows I had been to – and it was a thrill for me.  The band was wearing the Sea World Sucks tshirts.  Morrissey’s shirt was black with a white V and when he came close to our part of the stage I happened to notice he peeled the collar back a few times to expose what appeared to be orange lining… I made a mental note of this for our resident official fruit, naturally.  Moz sounded and looked gorgeous.  Again, words fail me here.  When you’re that close, seeing him live, there is nothing like it in the world.

Gustavo wearing the Sea World Sucks Tshirt

Staircase is always a chuckle for me and for many of our deluded selves because of all the THREES, which, if you read this blob enough, or hardly at all on that note, you’ll notice has become somewhat of a theme. He did flash a three with his fingers in my direction during that song, which made me want erupt in peals of giggles, but again, it can be tempting to read into things too much, which most of us are guilty of around here on practically a daily basis.  Oh quite true...but it’s fun though isn't it?

Well, we were an exceptionally lucky audience that night because Morrissey sang LET THE RIGHT ONE SLIP IN (and yes that’s all in caps because it’s only the second time he’s ever played it live, and the first time since 1992).  He sounded incredible and so did the band – hardly anyone can say they’ve seen this song live! He also sang Will Never Marry, which I was intensely pleased about, as it wasn't included on the sets at the other two shows I attended.

Setlist:

1. Suedehead

2. Alma Matters

3. Staircase At The University

4. Ganglord

5. Speedway

6. Kiss Me A Lot

7. World Peace is None of Your Business

8.Let the Right One Slip In

9. Stop Me If You Think That You've Heard This One Before

10. What She Said

11. First of The Gang To Die

12. The Bullfighter Dies

13. Now My Heart is Full

14. Will Never Marry

15. I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris

16. Istanbul

17. I Will See You in Far Off Places

18. Meat is Murder

Encore:

19. Everyday is Like Sunday 

I took quite a few photos at this first show, which isn't typical for me as I usually take very few. I don't want to spend an entire concert behind a camera, which some people tend to do. The ones I took turned out fairly well considering there was a fair bit of pushing. Here are some of my favourites:

At the end of the show, for the shirt toss, he threw the shirt exactly in my direction. I saw it, in probably the slowest 3 seconds of my life, fly towards me through the air and hover above my head like a delicious Avignon-drenched Dries Van Noten cloud of loveliness.  Then it entirely seemed to disappear (I thought it landed in front of the barrier somewhere maybe?).  I found out later the person behind me caught the shirt, and hid it down his pants.  Sigh… how I wish I could have even got a hint of a cuff.    

A fantastic evening... and I adored every moment of it!

I will post my review of the second show hopefully tomorrow