OK- here's my take: when the show was announced for November, I was immediately concerned it would be cancelled (night of) or cut short. I was at Paso Robles show cancellation, but in all honesty that was super cold (42f). I bought Greek tickets as this was the only show I could make this tour in SO CAL. The venue (Greek) was awesome and the energy was strong, people super excited. Drink prices where outrageous as well as the parking prices, but oh well it's LA and to be expected. The show start time was listed at 8:30PM, having been to over 65 Moz shows, I knew the videos would start at 8:30AM and he'd come on at 9PM sharp, which he did. As he entered the stage and took the mic, he mumbled Los Angeles multiple times then mumbled something that sounded like "I'll try, I'll try 4 or 5 times. I didn't pick up on this until I watched my video of his entrance this AM. Anyhow, he looked over to his roadie and the roadie approached him and spoke in his ear. At the moment, my wife and I, where like "oh no", and immediately thought this shows not going to on for long. In between songs, it sounded like he was breathing hard "as if you breathe when blowing on your hands to warm them up." I saw the roadie bring a scarf and stage it on a box so he could give it to Moz in between songs,. Moz knew it was there bet never went over to get it in between songs. He then went back stage in between songs (I thought agina he's not coming back) but he did and came out with another shirt that looked like it was layered on top of the first T-Shirt he had on. He played 2 more songs, left the stage and that was it. I was at all not surprised.
Yes it was cold and I do see how this could effect his vocals for the rest of the tour and beyond, so I get it. Won't I don't get, and he needs to recognize this (he and his team), he should not be playing "outdoor venues" past September/ October anywhere in North America. Summer/Spring outdoor venues are fine. Fall/Winter strictly indoor venues. I think he wanted to give his LA fans two big arena shows and then move over to the smaller out of the way venues likes El Cajon etc.
So while I was rightfully disappointed, what happened last night was not unexpected (at least on my part). My wife and I had a great night out, it was spendy $$$ and we did not have to travel far (less than 50 miles) and it looks like there will be the option for money back and or a reschedule if that truly happens (reminds me of the inland invasion cancelled then made up show). For those who travelled, ya I'd be pissed as well. What I've learned over my 25 years/65+ Morrissey shows, it is a dangerous proposition to travel to see him, the cancellation factor is always 50/50. Even up to the show, and many other shows, I check Morrisseysolo, and the venues, website multiple times day of show for cancellation.
As we all know, this does not help his reputation and history of cancellations over the years. A knew date and refund option quickly announced, with a statement from Morrissey on morrisseyofficial.com, would help (some).
Hopefully this is a small hiccup, but we know it caused a huge ripple for fans and rightfully so. It will be interesting to see if the El Cajon shows still go on, that will be a tell tale sign if it's something bigger or truly just a poorly scheduled show at a venue outside that is ripe for cancellation given his history and given the time of year/temperature in California.
That's my take on things, wishing everyone a blessed day ~
in order to get thru the set without getting frostbite. I can’t imagine how cold Steve must have been on that stage.
