Leeds (UK), O2 Academy Leeds
This Charming ManMorrissey in good form coupled with a very responsive crowd and a non-seated venue made this the first really good concert of the Swords tour. Morrissey wasn't at his chattiest, but he was very likely sparing his voice. He gave a lot of handshakes and clearly looked like he was enjoying himself. The crowd was very energetic and some people had to be pulled out of the front because of the pressure. The only minor downside were the occasional sound problems, but these were quickly resolved. There were no changes made to the setlist.
Black Cloud
When Last I Spoke To Carol
How Soon Is Now?
Ganglord
Cemetry Gates
I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
Teenage Dad On His Estate
Nowhere Fast
Irish Blood, English Heart
Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself?
One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
Death At One's Elbow
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
Is It Really So Strange?
The Loop
Because Of My Poor Education
I'm OK By Myself
/First Of The Gang To Die
Early on, Morrissey greeted the "...lovely lovely lovely Leeds." Following b-side "Ganglord" he mentioned his latest compilation of b-sides titled "Swords" when he said that it reached "...the lowest chart position of my life, but despite it all (someone shouts: number one!) number one I don't think so... yes... yes..." After the Smiths song "Cemetry Gates" he said "it's all in the past..." Following "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris" he exclaimed "Jolly jives!" (or something that sounded like that).
After "Teenage Dad On His Estate" Morrissey handed the microphone to a fan in the front row, as he often did, and asked "Anything to say?" The fan said "You're looking and sounding fantastic, please take care of yourself, we love you!" and Morrissey looked flattered, embarrassed and delighted. He also asked if anyone thought it was easy being up on stage and if anyone could sing better. There were a few shouts in response and the singer replied "Well you do it then!" After "Death At One's Elbow" he said "tomorrow we will be eaten by Sheffield...", which got a few boos out of the crowd.
Morrissey echoed the final line of "Is It Really So Strange?" ("I can never go back home again"), with the words "home is a question mark..." which is also the title of a song he recorded during the "You Are The Quarry" sessions, but which was never released. When he and the band returned to the stage for the encore, they lined up side by side, bowed, then Morrissey's parting words as everyone was taking up their respective positions, alluded to the lyrics of two of his past songs: "So to the Leeds side streets I say a massive thank you and we'll see you somewhere, somehow...(Morrissey hands microphone to shouting fan) Hmm? (fan: Sheffield!) Sheffield!"
There are no significant audio or video recordings of this concert in wide circulation at this point in time. Orphan video files of "How Soon Is Now?", "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris", "Is It Really So Strange?", "The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores" and "When Last I Spoke To Carol" are circulated on the internet. There is an audio audience recording out there, but it is not being shared yet.
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