“I feel safe in black…”

Oh, it’s Tuesday night. What is there to do? Oh yes, it’s time to see Morrissey in Dundee.

Of course, the Music Slut hadn’t managed to get great seats (and was pretty peeved at having to sit). And the camera police were on patrol so I didn’t get any decent pics… I mean, don’t they know who I am?

Support tonight was from one of the Music Slut’s favourite Scottish acts, Sons & Daughters. We didn’t quite catch all of their set, but they were giving it laldy. Lots of energy, as we’re used to, and they did pretty well to fill a venue as large as the Caird and reach up to those of us away in the nether reaches of the balcony. A couple of new songs, and a rousing finish with ‘Johnny Cash’. Excellent stuff.

‘First of the Gang to Die’ was Morrisey’s opener, and the set was largely made up of material from Ringleader of the Tormentors and You are the Quarry; particular standouts were from Ringleader: ‘Life is a Pigsty’, ‘You Have Killed Me’ and ‘To Me You Are a Work of Art’. But there was plenty of older material too, including a storming ‘How Soon is Now?’ One older song didn’t go down so well with the audience; after having promised these Dundonians that they would “probably scream”, they completely failed to react, eliciting the comment that it "probably didn’t blow the lid off Dundee”. My only problem with the setlist was the lack of ‘The Father who Must Be Killed’, although we were treated to a tantalising line or two (as well as the opening bars of ‘If you take the High Road’, at one point). But the richness of Morrissey’s voice, and the quality of the performance of every song, almost made it irrelevant if it was a favourite or not.

Moz’s sarky wit was everywhere in evidence and his quips, starting off quite pleasant, began to get a bit harder as time went on and the crowd failed to react much to a lot of what he was doing. First of all, during the shirt change at the start from white to black (“white makes me feel unattractive”), then on to the cities of Scotland. “We’ve been visiting Scottish cities to see if anyone likes us. Thankfully everyone does”; “We’re off to Greenock tomorrow. It has lots of nice shops. Lots of nice shoe shops”.

But the best comment, as far as I could tell, was an encore of ‘Irish blood, English Heart’; not quite a singalong for the centre of Dundee, but a nice reposte to a crowd that hadn’t really wanted to follow down the path that Morrissey wanted to lead them. A pity that; I think they would have enjoyed the journey.

Setlist:

First Of The Gang To Die / Still Ill / You Have Killed Me / The Youngest Was The Most Loved / Reader Meet Author / To Me You Are A Work Of Art / My Life Is A Succession Of People Saying Goodbye / Girlfriend In A Coma / Let Me Kiss You / At Last I Am Born / Life Is A Pigsty / Trouble Loves Me / I Just Want To See The Boy Happy / A Song From Under The Floor Boards / I Will See You In Far-off Places / How Soon Is Now? // Irish Blood, English Heart

Stellastarr*, Reading Rooms, Dundee

Just so's you know - all pics are thanks to Alan Sharp from the Stellastarr* messageboards - Cheers!

Last night your only Scottish Slut headed along to see some of NYC's hottest, the fine and mighty Stellastarr*, over the water in Dundee. They were playing at the Reading Rooms, and (despite my earlier rantage about tickets, etc), I have got to say that this is one fabulous venue. It seems to be an old library - though perhaps I'm wrong, but it'd make sense with the name!), beautifully neo-classical on the outside, and then on the inside a really lovely, intimate space, a combination of bare stone walls, camouflage netting and crazee artworks. I loved it. We were lucky enough to have four bands playing last night, including Stellastarr*; first up were Alamos, who, I have to admit were not really my thang. A bit on the incoherent side, it seemed like they were stuggling to figure out what they were actually doing and why, although that might be a bit harsh, given that I've never heard any of their recorded stuff. It was a shame, because it seemed like they had some good ideas behind their music; perhaps if they'd had a bit more than 30 mins, then they would have been able to get a better rhythm going.

However, the next act up, the Hourly Radio, also only had about 30 mins and they were fabulous. All I know is that they come from Texas. They were great. *gushes*.

Then we got to the meat of the evening; I'm not that familiar with the Twenty-Twos, but they were awesome too; great harmonies (though a bit hard to hear!), and tunes the entire audience appreciated; and I have to comment on it - the drummer's tache. For that, my man, I salute you, and for your indefatigable energy behind the drumkit. Outstanding. Oh, and add to that, the singer's name is Jenny Christmas. Outstanding times two.

I'm not sure what I can add about Stellastarr* themselves beyond what we've already said about them in the past. Amazing stage presence; this is the first time that this particular slut has seen them live, and I did wonder about how they would translate from record to stage. But I was just blown away by the sheer scale of their performance; it was a tiny venue, but the band dominated it entirely. So many highlights, but I absolutely adored Sweet Troubled Soul, plus She's Gone, which will be the B-side to STS.

And we got my coco as an encore. Hurrah!

More please, and soon!