While Morrissey’s late-period renaissance continues with the just-released Years of Refusal, the ex-Smith’s latest American tour has been beset by problems ranging from canceled gigs to an apparent immigration snafu in Atlanta.
Things got off on the wrong foot before the tour even started; right on the eve of the trek, Moz canceled the tour’s first four dates, all in Florida, “due to illness.”
With the tour then slated to begin yesterday in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Morrissey reported on his Web site that he encountered a spot of trouble upon his arrival in Atlanta.
“I have survived the interrogation of Atlanta’s Immigration officials and Myrtle Beach shall have me tonite (Friday), and the world from then onwards … if the world can take it,” Morrissey wrote in, well, typically melodramatic Moz fashion.
“One of the many penalties of being human is that tours often take a military push to start, well, all of our answers will be in our songs tonite,” he continued. “The bloodbath starts at 7.30. Life is testing you out. Be ready for anything.”
Well, Morrissey and Co. made it to Myrtle Beach, but, by most accounts, the gig didn’t go well. At all. According to reviews posted on Morrissey-solo.com, Moz remains ill, appeared “ornery and pissed the whole time” and ultimately cut the set short. Probably not the bloodbath he had in mind.
So, not surprisingly, tonight’s show at Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse was canceled.
According to the venue: “As you probably know, the first four dates of the tour were canceled due to illness. He did the show last night in Myrtle Beach and apparently had a great deal of trouble, cutting his set in half. As of now, we do not have a make-up date but hope to reschedule for the fall.”
Neither Morrissey’s Web site nor that of his publicity firm, Girlie Action, have any mention of tonight’s Atlanta cancellation or when the tour might resume.
The next scheduled date is Monday in Asheville, N.C.
UPDATE 3/9/09: As noted in the comments, tonight’s show in Asheville, N.C., has been canceled, according to the venue, the Orange Peel.
SETLIST:
Opening night of Years of Refusal tour, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 3/6/09
Something Is Squeezing My Skull
Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed
This Charming Man
Black Cloud
Best Friend On The Payroll
First Of The Gang To Die
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?
Seasick, Yet Still Docked
Ask
Sister, I’m A Poet
All You Need Is Me
I Keep Mine Hidden
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores
Life Is A Pigsty
How Soon Is Now?
Source: Morrissey-solo.com
I drove to Atlanta for the show and did not learn of the cancellation until only several hours before the show, when Ticketmaster emailed and called me. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get out of our hotel reservation, which was a common issue, from what we heard from others wandering around the neighborhoods near the venue. There is still no word on the Asheville show, and considering the great likelihood that it will be canceled, it would be nice if Moz would let us know now in order to mitigate our expenses.
I see what you did in the title there. Very cute.
The Asheville, North Carolina show has also been canceled.