The Verse’s Nanette Hewitt reviews Latino fury band Mezrissey and acoustic support act Sam Walker, the calm before the fiesta at Brighton Dome on the 26th January.
My first ever time attending a concert at the Brighton Dome and it did not disappoint. We arrived just before the support act Sam Walker was due to start and the seats were already filling. I had briefly listened to a couple of Mexrrissey tracks but I didn’t know a great deal about them so I wasn’t entirely sure what I should expect. As people arrived it became apparent that they had a broad audience young and old. I have never seen a band like Mexrrissey before and I don’t think I ever will again.
Sam Walker was immensely talented and an incredible performer. I have never seen anyone play so many instruments at once before- I was especially impressed when he started playing the steel drum. He was haunting and full of raw emotional depth with his howling vocals echoed around the dome. His song ‘Dreamtime’ encompassing the hope that fuelled his song writing. He was even whistling at some points- this artist throws everything into his songs.
Mexrrissey began their act by saying, “You like Morrissey we like Morrissey too.”. They were full of Latino fury and fire and perhaps a little bit crazy. One of the members even said he had stripped naked at their last gig! At one point they had us crouching on the floor then springing back up to dance; so much fun. They were genuine people with genuine hearts saying they wanted to see us “dancing like crazy monkeys!”. Even though they were singing Morrissey songs in Spanish you could connect to them- enjoying yourself but also appreciating the more poignant moments too when they played ‘Mexico’.
They really contrasted to the supporting act as Sam Walker was so raw and emotive and offered a sound which is arguably more representative of current UK music. Mexrrissey were a riotous, orchestrated carnival as they showcased an ability to make modern a collision of traditional Mexican music values with the greatness that is Morrissey.
They built into their sound. Everyone was sitting to begin with but when keyboardist, Ceci Bastida took over the vocals and sang ‘International Playgirl (The Last of the most Famous International Playboys)’ the atmosphere seemed to change. The tempo increased and she had such a sassy stage presence. People started progressively standing up until the whole concert hall was dancing manically. My favourite songs that they performed were ‘Estuvo Bien (Suedehead)’ and their version of ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ which they encouraged the audience to sing along to.
The night included some political comments and animated projections of a certain president. Which were light-hearted and comical but incredibly relevant with the band originating from Mexico. They took a bow together after their final encore and it was clear they were devoted and passionate about their music. It was wonderful hearing them singing in Spanish whilst a gentleman next to me (obviously a huge Morrissey fan) was singing along in English.
Sam Walker plays The Brunswick in Hove on the 2/2/17. Mexrrissey continue their UK tour and their album ‘No Manchester’ is available now; a collection of Morrissey’s greatest songs from Mexico with love.
