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Mar 02, 2026 By Adrian Peel Photography by Adrian Peel Web Exclusive

Few artists can boast such a dedicated fanbase as Morrissey, and people of all ages turned out in force to see their hero at the O2 on Saturday, 28th February, unsurprisingly selling out the impressively-sized venue.

Indeed, I have no doubt that Morrissey could sell out the O2 many times over, despite what some people and members of the press might say about him.

Happily, there was no support act. Instead, a film was shown featuring various songs, presumably some of Morrissey’s favourites, and clips of comedy heroes such as Kenneth Williams and Benny Hill. Always a pleasure to see them.

I wondered if the video might have included a Neil Sedaka song, as news of the legendary singer-songwriter’s death had been announced earlier in the day. I guess it was too late to edit it in, though, even if Morrissey had wanted to.

Waving maracas and dressed in an open pink shirt with a popped collar - and with flowers tucked into the front of his trousers - the man himself led his excellent five-piece band out onto the stage, receiving a very warm and enthusiastic reception in the process.

Ever unpredictable, he began by singing a couple of lines from Foreigner’s 1984 hit, “I Want to Know What Love Is”, before launching into “Billy Budd”, an energetic track from his 1994 album, Vauxhall and I.

It was a song with which I was unfamiliar, but it was a solid choice of opener. “I grow older, I will never die,” announced the charismatic singer before fast-forwarding to 2006 on “I Just Want to See the Boy Happy” off his album from that year, Ringleader of the Tormentors.

Again, I didn’t know it - what can I say, I’m a big fan but not a long-time ‘superfan’! - but it was pretty good nevertheless. I, and I imagine everyone else in the room, definitely knew “Suedehead”, though. What an anthem that is!

“The morphine is just kicking in now,” joked Morrissey, “so we’re off!”

The star has a new album, Make-up Is a Lie, coming out on 6th March and the first song of the evening from it was the moody-but-really-quite-brilliant “Notre-Dame”. It was followed by the melodic title track (complete with an image of Brigitte Bardot on the screen behind), which Morrissey said “is not really understood by anybody”.

Speaking of the new record, Morrissey addressed the fact that it’s taken six and a half years for it to come out, comparing the release to a lengthy pregnancy and stating “Miracles do happen.” Huge cheers then greeted the first Smiths song of the night - the jaunty “A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours”.

Commenting on the controversy that has often surrounded him in recent years, the defiant singer-songwriter said: “The fact that I’m on this stage is an incredible accomplishment in itself because, as you all know, the jealous bitches tried to get rid of me. But thanks to you, and thanks to me, I’m still here.”

Two gorgeous tunes - “Now My Heart Is Full” and “I Know It’s Over” by The Smiths - offered beautiful moments of quiet reflection, while Oscar Wilde’s unmistakeable image appeared on the screen behind during the stirring “Irish Blood, English Heart”.

The outstanding “World Peace Is None of Your Business” was a nice sing-along number (featuring stunning guitar work from dynamite guitarist Carmen Vandenberg), despite its serious subject matter, and it was an absolute joy to hear my favourite Morrissey song “Everyday Is Like Sunday” up next, with the star having changed into a white shirt during a lovely piano solo from keyboard player, Camila Grey.

It was followed by another bona fide classic - “How Soon Is Now?” by The Smiths. While the newer songs are certainly not without their charm, they’re no match for some of these older numbers which just sound better and better as time goes on.

The dramatic “I Will See You in Far-Off Places” brought the proceedings to a satisfying close, and then it was back to The Smiths for the one-song encore - the timeless “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out”.

Morrissey’s last words to the appreciative audience before the encore, “There are many problems that the human mind cannot solve, but I love you and nothing else matters”, were gratefully received, and then one by one each of the band members came up to the mic and thanked the crowd.

Despite many moments of pure musical joy, it did feel at times like the setlist was geared more towards the true die-hard fans, which is fine, but I would like to have heard a few more songs that I knew. I guess I’d better get listening to his lengthy back catalogue in order to prepare myself for the next tour!

Morrissey remains something of an enigma, an artist who even at this stage of his career still has an air of mystery about him, an attribute which seems all too rare these days - and his voice sounded fantastic tonight.

Some vocalists his age can leave you thinking “Maybe it’s time to call it a day”, but not Steven Patrick Morrissey. He’s undoubtedly still ‘got it’ and still has plenty to offer, both as a cultural figure and as a working musician.