'My God I'm here': Morrissey returns for triumphant Manchester homecoming

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There can be few Manchester homecomings quite so feverishly anticipated by fans as the return of one Steven Patrick Morrissey.

And here, in 2025, for his biggest ever solo Manchester show, he appears in front of a sold out crowd of thousands at the shiny new Co-op Live Arena.

"I'm here, my God I'm here" he says looking out at the sea of yearning arms reaching out to their idol as he takes to the stage.

And fans are rewarded. With a vintage Morrissey performance, arriving as he does on stage in full Smiths-era splendour.

He swirls some gladioli, his shirt is unbuttoned seductively close to his navel, a large red pendant swings around his neck.

His voice is lusty and strong, and he whips that mic lead with a delicious mix of menace and master.

And what fan of The Smiths can be left without a goosebump when the heady hypnotic throb of How Soon is Now kicks in, just three songs into the set.

"I am still the son and the heir," Morrissey sings, as he's near drowned out by the audience wailing every word in return.

With still no word on his newest work being released, this tour allows a race through a host of his well known, and lesser known, solo tracks.

Naturally Smiths anthems are rapturously received: I Know It's Over, the spine-tingling lament that sound-tracked so many teenage years; Shoplifters of the World Unite, the lusty singalong; Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Loved Me, the melancholy send off that most here had dreamt of.

There are surprises thrown into the mix too, including I Ex Love You, a track from the still as-yet-to-be-released Bonfire of the Teenagers album of 2020.

It's swiftly followed by the album's title track, Morrissey's searingly personal reaction to the Manchester Arena bombing of 2017.

He rasps out in anger every word, with a raw and unflinching performance.

He departs stage to allow his brilliant band pianist Camilla Grey to perform a solo that effortlessly melds into fan favourite Everyday is Like Sunday.

Then, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came to the show tonight, particularly those from far away, adding with typically dry, tongue-in-cheek humour.

"I know some people came from Wilmslow... they work in Waitrose. Some people came from Prestwich... they don't work," he added to laughter from the crowd.

While Morrissey is known for his forthright views, the closest he comes to controversy in this show is when he dramatically halts the set to try and settle something once and for all.

He says with some exasperation: "It's always stated that I was born in Davyhulme... I wasn't born in Davyhulme!"

He continues: "Everybody says I was born in Davyhulme, it's terrible it's something I've got to bear forever through life like hot coals, I wasn't born in Davyhulme, does anybody care?"

In answer to shouts from the audience, Morrissey adds: "Where was I born? I was born in a really scruffy place, just kidding, Old Trafford."

It prompts a chorus of boos, presumably due to the area's football connections.

But Morrissey is then quick to retort: "Oh you may boo, you may boo louder, you may boo even louder... I have a lovely pair of firm, solid, Labradors."

The interaction is typical of the banter in the show that at times feels like "An Audience with" Morrissey. Those closest to the stage are also rewarded at the finale with a Morrissey handshake as he repeats: "I Love you, I Love you" to the delirious faithful.

Before launching into Scandinavia, he then snipes: "I realise that sarcasm is banned in this country."

Returning for the encore he blows a raspberry to the media who he says "doesn't want events like this to happen", before asking the audience to "look after your country, look after your mothers, look after your cats, I love you, I love you, I love you."