Morrissey's 1st Pittsburgh show in 12 years taps into Smiths catalog, solo career

Before Morrissey started his first Pittsburgh show in a dozen years, the famed Smiths singer acknowledged the absence, and it quickly seemed like no time had passed.

“I’ve returned to continue a conversation that you and I were having 12 years ago,” Morrissey said, “and off we go.”

With that, Morrissey launched into his concert Thursday night at the Benedum Center, delivering an hour and 40 minutes of classics from the Smiths as well as a sampling of his solo career, from his 1998 debut album “Viva Hate” to 2006’s “Ringleader of the Tormentors.”

The “pope of mope” seemed in fine spirits, in stark contrast to the lyrical content that touches on doomed romances, loneliness, anguish and other morbid sentiments.

“I must tell you, it’s very unusual and sometimes quite difficult to give your private feelings out in songs,” he said Thurday, “but actually I don’t really care.”

As he strolled the stage, Morrissey commanded attention, whether it was sauntering around with flowers during the opener of “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” fiddling with his microphone cable or playing the maracas on “The Loop” or a tambourine on “Everyday Is Like Sunday.”

Several wardrobe changes took place, with one necessary after he threw his shirt into the crowd, as he did during “Let Me Kiss You” right after singing “But then you open your eyes and you see someone that you physically despise.”

After returning to the stage, the 66-year-old joked about his brief absence: “They think I’ve run back to New York. I haven’t.”

He also ripped off his final T-shirt, a blue one with a picture from the British science fiction show “Thunderbirds” and Pittsburgh underneath, throwing it into the crowd to end the show. In the final song of the night, Morrissey shook hands with several people in the front row, including the man who caught (and then donned) the white dress shirt chucked during “Let Me Kiss You.”

The Smiths songs drew the biggest reactions of the night, particularly “Shoplifters of the World Unite” with a riff that sounded even crunchier than the album version. But “How Soon Is Now?” — originally a B-side — stands as the highlight, with its shimmering, swirling guitars culminating with a big drum ending.

Of the solo songs, “Suedehead” — his debut single after the Smiths’ breakup — went over well, as did one of his most successful tracks, the swooning “Everyday Is Like Sunday.”

Morrissey plays “Everyday Is Like Sunday” on Sept. 25, 2025, in Pittsburgh

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— Mike Palm (@mikepalm.bsky.social) September 26, 2025 at 6:23 AM

Beyond the mope rock, he also delved into rockabilly on “The Loop” and heavier rock for a moody “Jack the Ripper,” while a bombastic “I Will See You in Far-Off Places” tapped into a Middle Eastern vibe.

For the encore, he closed with a chill, short-but-sweet version of the Smiths’ “I Won’t Share You” followed by a defiant “Irish Blood, English Heart.”

Security beefed up?: A pair of concerts last weekend in Mashantucket, Connecticut, and Boston were cancelled after “credible” threats were made against Morrissey. An Ottawa man has been charged after a social media post where he threatened to shoot and kill Morrissey. Exterior security at the Benedum Center didn’t appear to be any different than normal, but there was a more visible presence inside, with security in the pit area and on both sides of the stage, as well as a barrier up front.

Missing out: It’s hard to argue with the Smiths songs included in his set, but “Back to the Old House,” “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” or “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” could have slid in without missing a step.

On the solo side, he skipped any songs from his last five albums, as well as tracks like “You Have Killed Me,” “Hairdresser on Fire” and “The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get.”

Last show here: Morrissey’s most recent shows in Pittsburgh came on Jan. 21, 2013, at Heinz Hall, and March 17, 2009, at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. The Smiths played at the Fulton Theatre, now known as the Byham Theater, on Aug. 12, 1986, on their The Queen Is Dead tour.

A history of misses: Morrissey has bagged three past shows in Pittsburgh, leading to some trepidation online about whether this one would actually take place. He cancelled/postponed shows on Oct. 23, 2012, at Heinz Hall, Feb. 17, 2000, at the A.J. Palumbo Center and June 30, 1991, at the IC Light Amphitheater.

A look at tonight’s merchandise for Morrissey at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, including a $25 pillowcase pic.twitter.com/Gi0N7fpze3

— Mike Palm (@MikePalmMedia) September 26, 2025

The merch: A variety of T-shirts were available at $40 along with a poster at $20. The non-standard items included totes — with one emblazoned with “Shoplifters of the World Unite” — at $25, a silly notes pad and pen at $25 and a pair of compact mirrors — with “I Never Did Like Your Face” or “To Me You Are a Work of Art” — at $15 each. Sweet dreams were available for those shelling out $25 for a Morrissey pillow case, as were signed records at $250 a pop.

A PETA rep was also handing out pamphlets with a drawing of Morrissey advocating for a meat-free diet.

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Up for sale: Although Morrissey played seven songs from his time with the Smiths, he’s also been trying to sell off his business interests in the band. The Smiths — comprised of Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce — formed in 1982 and broke up by 1987. A post earlier this month on Morrissey’s website offered for sale his business rights in the Smiths, including the band name, artwork, merchandising rights, songs (lyrics and music), recordings and more.

“I am burnt out by any and all connections to Marr, Rourke, Joyce,” he wrote. “I have had enough of malicious associations. With my entire life I have paid my rightful dues to these songs and these images. I would now like to live disassociated from those who wish me nothing but ill-will and destruction, and this is the only resolution.”