It's finally starting -- the 2002 tour begins on Friday in Phoenix, Arizona. In all the anticipation some questions remain. Is there a purpose to this tour, does there need to be one? Will this lead to a new recording/record label? Or is it possible that we are near the end? Perhaps we can find a direction in the new songs that are played.

It may be difficult for me to keep up with the tour as I am planning to travel to several of them, but I will do my best. As in the past, I will be focusing on keeping things organized with the site and will be relying on all of you for your stories, reviews, set lists, photos and general documentation of this tour. This is the planned format - shortly after each concert has finished a story will go up on the main page. Post your info in the comments section and I will try to highlight the most informative and interesting posts.

Thanks in advance for the contributions to the documentation of this tour, I know they will be stellar. Things will start to move quickly starting Friday, check the tour page to keep up with all the shows. Also check out MorrisseyTour.com and Ambitious-Outsiders.com for their coverage also.

Ticket scan from Alainsane. Click to enlarge

Ian writes:

I've now posted the full interview with Kevin Cummins re his Smiths And Beyond book on the site. Kevin talks a lot about working with The Smiths and Morrissey, about what Moz is like as a person, and about experiences with him in England and Japan. It's at http://www.howdoesitfeel.co.uk

The next date of the club night is Aug 22. Details are:

Playlist:
The Smiths * The Supremes * The Go-Betweens * Dusty Springfield * Belle & Sebastian * Tammi Terrell * Aztec Camera * The Ronettes * Orange Juice * Beach Boys * The Temptations * Velvet Underground * Felt * The Shangri-Las * Primal Scream * Otis Redding * The Field Mice * Simon & Garfunkel * Dexys Midnight Runners * The Four Tops * Dolly Parton * The Orchids

Aug 22nd, Buffalo Bars, underneath The Famous Cock pub, outside Highbury & Islington tube

9pm-2am, £3 adm. Guest DJ is David Callahan (formerly of The Wolfhounds and Moonshake)
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• Related item: Smiths/b&s London club night (June 20); short Kevin Cummins interview - June 13, 2002

vauxhall25 writes:

Post Concert Gathering after the Phoenix show to be held at:

George and Dragon - English pub
4240 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-241-0018

This is a great time for local Morrissey fans and out of town fans to meet. See everyone after the show. Please email me for directions or see attached map.