Morrissey Makes Triumphant Start To Roundhouse Residency

Morrissey made a triumphant start to his six night Camden Roundhouse residency yesterday evening (January 21), and importantly managed to steer clear of any controversy.

Arriving onstage to the football chant-esque cries of “Morrissey, Morrissey, Morrissey”, the 48-year-old jokingly greeted the crowd by saying “Good evening West Ham!”

He then quickly launched into a rousing rendition of The Smiths classic ‘How Soon Is Now’ which saw him flail his microphone lead around theatrically and end up in a bizarre upside down pose.

After second song ‘First of the Gang to Die’, Morrissey joked “I believe my name is trouble”, in reference to the feud he is having with the NME over their representation of the comments he made about immigration in the publication.

Sensibly, there was no direct reference to the magazine or its editor Conor McNicholas throughout the sold out show, but he perhaps alluded to it on occasion saying later on “In-between the bloodbaths I’ve made a new album.”

Showing his risqué side slightly though, he admitted to having a slightly sore throat before launching into ‘Stop Me’, saying “As they say in Tottenham, I have a frog in my throat and I don’t mean a small French person!”

The set itself was a perfect balance of Smiths and Morrissey classics as well as songs from his next album – most notable ‘Something Is Squeezing My Skull’ which is very much the sound of someone having a mental breakdown.

A rousing mid-set featuring the likes of ‘The National Front Disco’, ‘Death of a Disco Dancer’ and the brilliant ‘Life Is A Crashing Bore’ saw Morrissey’s trademark sweat patch increase and the fervour in the audience rise, with fans grappling to touch their icon.

A stage crasher even managed to get onstage shortly before ‘The World Is Crashing Bores’ who quickly gave Morrissey a kiss on the cheek before being escorted off by security.

However, the best was saved for last with perhaps his greatest solo track ‘Irish Blood, English Heart’ making way for an encore of ‘The Last of the Famous International Playboys’ which saw Morrissey tear off his shirt and throw it from the stage.

CLICK HERE to see last night's show in pictures!

CLICK HERE to read Gigwise's full review of the show

The full set list was as follows:

How Soon Is Now?
First of the Gang to Die
I Just Want to See the Boy Happy
Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
That's How People Grow Up
Sister I'm a Poet
Something is Squeezing My Skull
All You Need Is Me
The National Front Disco
Death of a Disco Dancer
Life is a Pigsty
The Loop
Billy Budd
Mama lay Softly on the Riverbed
The World is Full of Crashing Bores
I'm Throwing my Arms Around Paris
Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself?
Stretch Out and Wait
Irish Blood, English Heart

The Last of the Famous International Playboys

Morrissey’s residency continues tonight before winding up on Sunday evening (January 27).