Mozzer Matters: Top Ten Morrissey Moments 2022

It’s December 28^th and I’m exhausted. Not from overindulging in food or drinks, but because of people. After successfully avoiding Christmas visiting for a myriad of reasons over the past few years, this year I found myself in the unenviable position of having run out of excuses. The holidays can be quite ruthless if you’re an introvert, and I feel drained from small talk and forced joviality. All I want to do is curl up with a Morrissey record and hide for a bit, but first, I thought I would count down the Top 10 Morrissey moments of 2022! There were many to choose from, so I hope you enjoy this journey with me through some of the highlights!

Morrissey in El Cajon, November 2022
(all photos by me unless otherwise noted)

10. Good Looking Moz About Town

No year is ever complete without some Moz out and about fashion looks. We’re loving his Hollywood birthday look, where elegant meets playful with a smart dark suit matched with a red LaWanda page tee, yellow shoes, and fun stripey socks!

Later in the year, Moz stepped out in London with incredible street style: a dark suit with wide legged pants is complemented by a (possibly Gucci?) scarf to add a dash of botanical colour, and this double-breasted tan jacket coordinates beautifully with California bear and Diana Dors pins, and an ultra-cute yellow “Good Times For A Change” raccoon tee from merch.

Photo via alisonmartino/Instagram

Photographer unknown

Photo by fedele__/Instagram

9. Live Interview

In October, for the first time in 7 years, Morrissey filmed an in-person interview. Directed by Sam Esty Rayner, the interview was conducted by freelance writer Fiona Dodwell at the London Palladium, and covers topics ranging from his new songs to diversity to the music industry. It’s always refreshing to hear Moz speak his mind in a world like today, where most artists seem to have very little to say. Our favourite parts include his description of television commercials and instant one liner for the permanently offended: “bake a cake.”

Screenshot via SER/YouTube

Watch the entire interview here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WTH6288UG8

8. Fashion Galore!

As well as serving up dapper looks on the streets, Moz is also no stranger to glorious on-stage fashion moments, and this year was no exception. He kicked tour off with a classic tux and bow-tie combo in Phoenix, added a pop of colour with black and yellow shoes in San Luis Obispo, and wowed in wide-legged trousers in Killarney. Sporty jackets paired with eye-catching ties made for a dashing on stage look too, whether it be James Dean or floral! As always, we loved his mix of dark, elegant suits and tour tees, as well as his keen eye for details with accessories. Super-ultra dreamy!

Morrissey in Phoenix

San Luis Obispo - yellow shoes!

The wide-legged trousers from Killarney
made a comeback in Philly

Fabulous ties in Stockton and El Cajon!

7. 2023

In December, a few early 2023-related posts appeared on Morrissey Central, including plans to record a new album, Without Music The World Dies in France in January – February, and hopefully tour dates to follow in France and Belgium. There’s nothing like the hope of new music and shows to give us a much-needed spark for the new year.

https://www.morrisseycentral.com/messagesfrommorrissey/morrissey-2023

https://www.morrisseycentral.com/messagesfrommorrissey/march

6. November/December US Tour

November spawned a tour! So many highlights made the autumn US tour extra special: including the live debut of another track from Bonfire of Teenagers: Saint in a Stained-Glass Window, a date at the iconic Castro theatre in San Francisco, dazzling setlist rarities, and a number of sell-outs in El Cajon, Oakland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ontario, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn.

Morrissey sings to a sold-out crowd in El Cajon

Brooklyn was another spectacular
sold-out show!

5. Las Vegas Residency

In July, Morrissey returned to Las Vegas for a 2^nd 5-show residency at Caesar’s Palace. Concert-hungry fans came from all over the world, including the UK, Europe, Japan, and Australia, to witness the great man in action on these scorching hot Vegas nights. The concerts showcased a number of live debuts from Bonfire of Teenagers, and songs from Morrissey’s solo and Smiths catalogue. Many fans are hopeful that this multi-year residency will continue into 2023 and beyond.

Morrissey with fans in Las Vegas

4. Setlist Rarities

This year Morrissey delighted concertgoers with a number of rare setlist surprises from his vast catalogue. In Phoenix, Morrissey opened the show with Your Arsenal’s We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful, which hadn’t been played live since 1992! Other rarities made the setlist that night, including Little Man, What Now and Rubber Ring, played live for the first time since 2004, and I Know It’s Over and Disappointed, not played since 2013 and 2014, respectively. He closed the gig with Sweet and Tender Hooligan, which was last sung live in 2013. Setlist surprises continued in San Luis Obispo and Las Vegas with Billy Budd (first time live since 2009), Our Frank (first time since 1991!), and Black Cloud (first time since 2013). During the autumn UK and US tours, Morrissey added more rarities, including Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want (not played since 2013), a live solo debut of Frankly, Mr. Shankly, Girlfriend in a Coma (last played in 2009), and the otherworldly My Life is An Endless Succession of People Saying Goodbye (last played in 2006). While not exactly a setlist rarity in itself, it’s definitely worth noting Morrissey also wowed the audience with an exquisite and unique “freestyle” rendition of How Soon is Now? in New Jersey.

How Soon is Now? in New Jersey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zStsP9AWEkA

Our Frank in Doncaster

3. Morrissey Headlines Cruel World Fest + Surprise May mini-tour

In May, Morrissey headlined the sold-out Cruel World Festival at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The festival, which also featured artists such as Blondie, Bauhaus, Devo, and PiL was a huge success, and all food stands were vegetarian and vegan: https://www.morrisseycentral.com/messagesfrommorrissey/cruel-world . Two intimate theatre shows were added right before the festival date: in Phoenix and San Luis Obispo, where Morrissey first played I Am Veronica from Bonfire of Teenagers.

Cruel World photo by casa_jayj/Instagram

2. UK and Ireland Tour

Morrissey’s 2022 return to Ireland and the UK was triumphant, with breathtaking concerts at Manchester’s Apollo Theatre, and two in giddy London: at the Palladium and Brixton Academy. The 10-show tour included numerous sell-outs in cities such as Birmingham, Blackpool, Stockton, Manchester, Killarney, and London. The shows were magical, featuring dynamic setlists spanning Morrissey’s career since the 1980’s, and fans were eager for handshakes and hugs from the man who wrote the songs that saved their lives. While the British press has continued to write negative articles about Morrissey, it is obvious their views don’t reflect those of the actual people - the fans - and many UK fans are already hungry for another round of tour dates!

Morrissey in Manchester, October 2022

1. Debut of new songs from Bonfire of Teenagers

This year, fans were treated to live debuts of 6 spectacular tracks from Bonfire of Teenagers: I Am Veronica, Rebels Without Applause, Sure Enough, The Telephone Rings, Bonfire of Teenagers, I Live in Oblivion, Kerouac’s Crack, and Saint in a Stained Glass Window. It was completely awe-inspiring to be there to witness these incredible tracks being played for the world for the first time. Fans are eager for the album to be released, and previously it was due to be released in February, but it appears the record is still held up by Capitol (at the time of writing). Throughout the year, I wrote my thoughts on the songs at the shows I attended (see below for my excerpts about Bonfire of Teenagers, I Live in Oblivion, and Saint in A Stained Glass Window).

Bonfire of Teenagers: