After postponing his November show, Steven Patrick Morrissey—just known as "Morrissey" to his fans—arrived at the Congress Theatre in December and asked, "I've been waiting. Where have you all been?"
Some of the crowd had been waiting a long time even the day of the show at 5:30 a.m. to garner a front of stage place to stand. His fans are legion and have stuck with him for decades; one female had seen him 92 times in concert. With many dressed in black, the audience was a variety of all ages, sexual orientations and body types. People were friendly and polite, considering it was a sold-out show and very crowded. There was some moshing and stage-diving, and he threw his shirt into the pit—but this was all to be expected.
Having patched things up with opener Kristeen Young, "Moz" entered the stage promptly after her short set at 9 p.m. He looked dapper in a red-trimmed tuxedo shirt and black suit, presenting showmanship and moves that he has learned over the years.
He went back to his roots as frontman to The Smiths, starting with "I Want the One I Can't Have." He then continued with his catchily titled solo songs such as "You're the One For Me, Fatty" and "All the Lazy Dykes." He stated "This is an American song," and then launched into his one cover of the evening: Lou Reed's "Satellite of Love." Afterwards, he showed a very graphic video in the background while performing "Meat Is Murder." PETA was on hand in the lobby and on the screen, showing this vegan has not changed much over the years and still likes a platform to express his beliefs.
When he sang "I Know It's Over" the show still wasn't until after the encore of "Still Ill," where he said his goodbye and left.
Photos for Windy City Times by Jerry Nunn
