Morrissey- 02 Arena. Saturday 29th November 2014.

A tremendous roar from a crowd full of haircuts greeted Morrissey onto the stage on Saturday night. A besotted, giddy London crowd rose to witness the arrival of their hero. It isn't often that he plays in the UK; this somewhat 'homecoming' gig was full of anticipation. Indeed, the standing section in the crowd was already jam-packed before the terrific support act Anna Calvi had even sung a note.

A picture of the Queen with her middle finger raised appeared on the big screens, and the band walked on stage, lead by the man himself. The Queen Is Dead was followed swiftly by Suedehead, and we were off with a bang. Morrissey appeared to be dressed ready for martial arts in a white Judo Gi; yet relaxed with expression in his open arms; "it is a privilege, it is a privilege" he announced between songs. I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris almost felt like a giant hug aimed at the crowd. You could hear people at the very back of the arena yelling out all the words.

All bar two songs from Morrissey's latest record, World Peace is None of Your Business were heard here. The sing-along from nearly everyone continued; the gentleman standing in front of me in a bright red shirt bellowing: "Hooray, hooray, the bullfighter dies!" I also noticed the venue was home to the largest ever array of various T-shirts dedicated to the front man.

The crowd suddenly were whipped up into a frenzy during the song Meat Is Murder. A thunderous cacophany of percussion accompanying a pretty dreadful film of animal slaughtering on the trio of big screens. Morrissey turned away from the crowd to face the screen; hands on head witnessing the distressing pictures. It was such a powerful moment; the drums and the sheer noise mercilessly shaking the subconscious.

Speedway rounded out the set; the audience reflecting back Morrissey's open arms and vocals; "all of the rumours keeping me grounded.." During the encore, there was a hint that this might be his last ever UK show, with the delicately beautiful Asleep featuring the tentative final refrain of "bye bye, bye bye"; the protagonist cast in full shadow as the song concluded. With the lights back up, this was followed up by a reflective, moving version of Everyday Is Like Sunday. Several over zealous fans at the front tried (and failed) to reach out and touch their man, security hauling them away. All hands, faces and arms in the 02 Arena reaching out towards their patriarch. It was breathless, it was poignant, it was spectacular, it was Morrissey.