MORRISSEY, CITY HALL, SALISBURY

REPORTS of Morrissey’s demise have been premature. Nine days after falling ill on stage in Swindon, the former Smiths singer continued his resurgence with an epic show at a frenetic City Hall on Monday night.

Confounding his critics, who had labelled this as his year of refusal to tour, a cruel wordplay on the title of his 2009 album, Morrissey produced a brilliant 19-song set that included classic Smiths’ numbers This Charming Man, How Soon Is Now, Cemetery Gates and Ask.

The mix of his most renowned hits and more unfamiliar solo work was perfect. Highlighted by Ganglord and Teenage Dad On The Estate, which feature on last week’s release Swords, he performed a collection of recent B-sides that would not look out of place as centre stage on the very best records.

Throughout a relentless 80 minutes, Morrissey was ably backed by his exquisitely dressed band, at no greater time than during the rockabilly frenzy that is The Loop and the show stopping I’m OK By Myself.

Re-emerging to encore with his 2004 hit First Of The Gang To Die, Morrissey defied his 50 years by throwing himself around the stage and offering a handshake to each of his fanatical front row following. All this before tossing his beautiful three-minute-old shirt into the baying crowd, provoking a near riot that will only just be settling.

Salisbury had to wait an extra six months following May’s postponement, but sometimes the best things in life really are worth waiting for.

Sam Dymond