Morrissey meets Chastain

MORRISSEY AT CHASTAIN: He brought his dinner, too.

Local music lovers know well how Chastain Park Amphitheater’s dinner-theater layout and chatty, disinterested season-ticket holders can suck the life out of a concert. Last Friday, Morrissey discovered the phenomenon for himself.

Accustomed to packed venues with emotionally charged crowds, the English pop legend played to a three-quarters-full audience whose most enthusiastic fans were largely confined to the seats farthest from the stage. He attempted to make the best of the situation, starting the show by strolling up to the mic with Cheez-Its in his hands and deadpanning, “You brought your dinner. I’ve brought mine.”

He then launched into the Smiths’ 1986 classic “Panic.” But when the crowd largely failed to sing along with the song’s “hang the DJ” chant, the die was cast. He sang the hits and sang them well, but cut his set short by two songs. Annoying, but somehow appropriate. Lifeless Season Ticket Holders - 1. Morrissey - 0. Let’s hope he plays the Tabernacle next time.

(Photo by Perry Julien)