10 September 2002
Rainbow Ballroom, Fresno, CA

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Hairdresser On Fire
Suedehead
Little Man, What Now?
First Of The Gang To Die
Jack The Ripper
Late Night, Maudlin Street
I Like You
Mexico
Sister I'm A Poet
Alsatian Cousin
Everyday Is Like Sunday
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
Meat Is Murder
November Spawned A Monster
Speedway
/I Want The One I Can't Have
This concert went very well. Morrissey was energetic and talkative as always. Security was moderate and quite a few fans made it on stage. People who had been following the tour on the internet knew something was going to be different when the usual closer "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" was performed as the opening number. Those who could see the setlists on stage noticed that a new song was scheduled in its place in the encore position: "Irish Blood, English Heart". However that song didn't end up being performed, instead the usual opener "I Want The One I Can't Have", which had originally been dropped from the setlist to make way for the new song, closed the set. "Irish Blood, English Heart" would only be introduced to the fans two dates down the road in Berkeley.

Morrissey greeted his audience "Fresno, this is a raid! Good evening to you!" before going into new set opener "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out". Because of its new position in the setlist the latter song was performed in its entirety for the first time without anyone to disturb Morrissey or his musicians, without Morrissey fleeing backstage after his vocal part, and without having the song segue into the church bells sample which usually marked the end of shows on this tour. Following this Morrissey answered the loud crowd with "I know, I know... Believe me, it's nice to be back in Fresno... Yes? Yes?". After an extremely well received "Hairdresser On Fire" he said "Do not worry, you're not missing anything on television... and, as far as world news is concerned, ppffft, nothing's happened..."

New composition "First Of The Gang To Die" was introduced with "This song is about the first lost lad under the sod... and the first lost lad under the sod is 'The First Of The Gang To Die'." Then "Jack The Ripper" was introduced with the spooky: "If you can possibly imagine that you are... you are a prostitute... and if you can imagine this, and it's 1888 and you're in the East End of London and... somebody... somebody taps you on the shoulder and you turn 'round..." After that song, when fans started chanting his name, Morrissey asked "Yes, but can you say it backwards?".

After "Late Night, Maudlin Street" the crowd chanted Morrissey's name again and then started shouting for Boz and Alain. Hearing this Morrissey said "Alain is not allowed to speak... if he speaks, his wages are docked... and you think I'm kidding (Alain: 'Shit, I've just blown the whole tour wages!') Where did that voice come from? Could it be Jesus? Could it be Alain? We just don't know... This song is... (interrupted by someone shouting) Say What? Uh? Just spill it man, spill it! This boy knows, this song is called 'I Like You'."

"Mexico" was teasingly introduced with "This is also a new song, and it's called 'Don't Cry For Me, Pasadena'." After it Morrissey said "So, as you all know, we're still trying to break into the American music scene... because God knows we'd love to belong... Is that really all you have to say? Can't we have an intelligent discussion? Gary, your family's here... they want you to shake it... Ah he's shy, he's shy, you know him... but believe me, he does shake it!" Following "Sister I'm A Poet" he returned to the earlier subject: "And I think that's a perfectly good reason why, or example of why we have never broken into the American music scene... (giggles, then switches to redneck accent) because if Ted Nugent wouldn't sing it man, it's shit!"

Following "Alsatian Cousin" Morrissey proceeded with the introduction of his musicians: "If I could first of all introduce you to... me... introduce you to the boys from the Betty Ford Clinic: Here is Boz!... That's definitely Boz, this is definitely Gary... over yonder is Deano... Alain!... that's it really..." After "Everyday Is Like Sunday" fans cheered and shouted for Alain again and the object of attention said that they were going to get him in trouble again. Hearing this Morrissey asked "What did he say? Does anybody know what he said? (to someone in particular) You're saying Charming Men? Which means...? Oh... (introduces next song) This is not about you, it's called 'The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores'..."

After the latter number Morrissey asked "Do you mind if I have a swig? No you don't mind..." After "Meat Is Murder" he cryptically said "Just in case you forget, or it slips your mind... that's it really!". Then, looking annoyed at someone screaming at the top of her lungs, he said "Oh, very expressive, very expressive... just burst! (to his musicians) Are we ready? Today? Tomorrow?" The same fan kept on screaming throughout the beginning of "November Spawned A Monster" and this time it just prompted the singer to giggle.

After "November Spawned A Monster" Morrissey had a few words with his favourite fan: "Are you alright Julia? You're not weary of travel? A little bit weary... I know... but, not long to go... Sorry? (hands her the microphone she asks him how he is) I've never been happier, EVER! Never! But that's not really saying anything..." Halfway into "Speedway" a fan was successful in her attempt to get on stage and Morrissey acknowledged it in his lyrics: "Oh you've done it now, she's done it now!" When he came back on stage for the final song Morrissey said "Thank you, you've been very gracious and... me and the boys from the Betty Ford Clinic we're really grateful and we hope you can... (impatiently motions to musicians to launch into encore) Today! Today!"

 


A vinyl LP bootleg titled "The First Lost Lad Under The Sod" features the four yet-to-be-released songs ("First Of The Gang To Die", "Mexico", "The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores" and "I Like You") from this concert, 3 Janice Long radio sessions from 2002, "Nothing Rhymed" from Dublin October 2002, "First Of The Gang To Die" from an uncredited date and a track titled "Don't Forget..." (Morrissey saying goodbye to his audience at the end of a 2002 concert, possibly Malmö 24 October or Birmingham 30 October)

However fans and collectors might prefer a generally good audience recording of the complete concert circulated on compact disc and in digital format on the internet. This is sometimes seen with fanmade artwork under the title "Live In Fresno 2002".

 

Do you have information about this concert? Or do you own an uncirculated recording of it? If yes please contribute and get credited.