Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, CA
I Want The One I Can't HaveThis was the first of three Morrissey dates on the 'Revolución 2002' festival where our man supported Latino band Jaguares. The concert took place in a huge stadium and it was quite a contrast to the smaller venues visited up to this point on the 2002 tour. Most attendees were there for the main act, so it was the first time since 1995 that Morrissey played in front of an audience that included a significant number of non-fans. He was in good spirits, obviously very happy to be there, and still quite talkative. Everything went down well, the crowd was surprisingly appreciative and receptive. Still, given the size of the venue, the energy couldn't be the same. Only one person made it on stage because of a barricade holding the fans at a distance.
Hairdresser On Fire
Suedehead
Little Man, What Now?
First Of The Gang To Die
Jack The Ripper
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
/There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
The usual 2002 setlist was shortened by one song, which still kept it at a very good length for an opening act. The slowest number "Late Night Maudlin Street" was the song from the usual setlist that Morrissey decided to drop.
Despite the fact that he was opening for someone else Morrissey still walked on stage following John Betjeman's "A Child Ill" and the sound of church bells. He greeted the audience "Hombres y mujeres, we is Morrissey!" before going into the opening number "I Want The One I Can't Have". For some strange reason the man exaggeratingly rolled his R's here and there in that song. After it he said "Thank you friends! Thank you friends! Thank you for crawling along here tonight... it's so nice to see your smiling faces... will you stay for at least one hour, please?"
After an extremely well received "Hairdresser On Fire" Morrissey apologised for the delay by saying "Sorry, we're trying to get rid of this incredibly atmospheric dry ice..." Following "Little Man, What Now?" he mentioned his appearance on the Craig Kilborn programme the previous night and introduced the next planned number: "Thank you friends... I would also like to thank all of our close friends who came to CBS studios yesterday in Hollywood and supported us on our television thing where we sang this song which is called 'The First Of The Gang To Die'."
The fan favourite "Jack The Ripper" was introduced with "This song is about our first known - possibly - serial killer who... who on a very dark night he would creep up behind you, tap you on the shoulder and he would say, I'm sure he would say these words... and I should know!" Then new composition "I Like You" was introduced with "This is a new song, and it's full of loving sentiment, and it's called 'I Like You'!" During the song's first few bars Morrissey asked someone "Are you okay? Are you alright?" After the song he said "Thank you, I wish I could touch you, I wish I could feel you... no freedom, no freedom, no freedom..." then introduced "Mexico" with "This song is... say that one more time? I know, you're so far away! 'Mexico'!"
Before going into "Sister I'm A Poet" Morrissey enquired "Are you feeling reasonably (crowd cheers)... I haven't said anything yet! I was gonna ask you, are you feeling reasonably happy? (crowd cheers) Why?" Over the song's first few bars he hysterically screamed "Help me! Help me!" in a little girl voice. After the song he simply said "Thank you, you're very gracious..." Besides "First Of The Gang To Die" Morrissey had also recorded for future broadcast "Everyday Is Like Sunday" for the Craig Kilborn television programme the night before. He announced this as he was about to go into that very song in this night's set: "If you can bear to stay awake tonight, we are on your television at 12:30 and we sing this song."
Before introducing "The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores" Morrissey proceeded with the customary introduction of the band: "Could I please introduce you to the boys from the Betty Ford Clinic? Here is Boz!... That's definitely Boz!... Here is Gary... definitely Gary... Over yonder is Deano... definitely Deano... (turning to Alain) and your name is? Alain? Alain!... and this song is the mere fact of life, 'The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores'..." The vegetarian anthem "Meat Is Murder" was introduced with "You must by now have noticed that all the nicest people in the world, and all the intelligent people in the word are vegetarians... Please join the gang!" The song wasn't very well received by some Jaguares fans who booed their disapproval.
After "Meat Is Murder" Morrissey simply said "Thank you, you're very kind...", then to someone in the audience: "I can see you! I know what you do!" Before going into main set closer "Speedway" he said "Thank you for listening! (...) We're just an art-rock band from England and we do our best..." Despite being an opening act, Morrissey still came back for an encore. Before going into that final song his parting words were "You're very generous... All I ask is that whatever happens, may Jesus, may Oscar Wilde always bless you..."
An audience recording of the complete set is available on bootleg compact discs as well as in digital format on the internet. The sound quality is generally good but at times the proximity of a female fan screaming at the top of her lungs and singing loudly (and quite out of tune) can be annoying.
Do you have information about this concert? Or do you own an uncirculated recording of it? If yes please contribute and get credited.