El Paso, so Much to Answer For | Morrissey at The Plaza | Photo Gallery

The Plaza Theatre was hootin’ and hollering this past Tuesday as Morrissey graced us with his presence once again for a night of ups, and one small down (we’ll get to that later).

The Moz looked great and in good shape—maybe he’s been hitting the gym and running laps with the rest of the band! He never looked tired and was on key all night long. The band was able to dynamically sway musically from soft beautiful hushed downed slow parts to rock raging build-ups exploding simultaneous with the lights. They played the songs with conviction and ease.

Moz and the gang played to perfection and started out with big bangers—The Smiths’ first single, the jangle rocker “Hand In Glove” was a great intro to start things off, followed by the crowd favorite “Every day Is Like Sunday” which was heard sung loudly across the Plaza. New songs “World Peace Is None of Your Business” (title of his upcoming new album) and “Earth Is a Beautiful Planet” gives us a preview of strong new material from the new album. “The National Front Disco” raged. What? No “Irish Blood”? No “First of the Gang to Die”? No “Hairdresser on Fire”? This list could go on and on forever.

Unfortunately the end of the show ended with Moz and the gang stopping mid song and leaving the stage due to altercations involving fans rushing the stage and the security. Morrissey had stopped the tour kick-off show in San Jose and also in L.A. for the same type of scuffle. The fans wanted more, staying in the seats a while after and then slowly trickled out—a bitter end to a fun night with Morrissey. Morrissey come back!

PHOTO: HECTOR RIVEROLL JR. ©2014 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED