BOSTON – Morrissey’s performance at the Wang Theatre in Boston last Friday proved to be a triumphant return to form for the controversial star, living up to fans’ expectations on the opening night of his North American tour.

Over the course of the two-hour set, Morrissey entertained with all the gusto and drama that has made him such a unique performer over the last 30 years. A hallmark of Morrissey’s concerts has been his unpredictable set lists and Friday was no exception as he seamlessly alternated between new and old material, pleasing all areas of his fanbase.

Predictably, the crowd’s biggest reaction came during his renditions of Smiths songs, a testament to the band’s everlasting popularity even 25 years after splitting up. A harrowing version of “Meat is Murder” was punctuated by disturbing footage of animal cruelty, driving home the singer’s militant vegetarian beliefs. Other highlights were a superbly worked “Speedway” as well as “Every Day is Like Sunday,” “A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours” and “I Know It’s Over,” to name a few.

The show ended on the Smiths’ classic “How Soon is Now?” which turned Morrissey’s fanatical devotees into a frenzied state singing each word back. Some even attempted to storm the stage.

For long-time Smiths fans, the finale was like a near-religious experience. Such was the intensity of the performance and the efforts of Morrissey’s faultless band. Following the rousing climax of “How Soon is Now?” Morrissey flung his flamboyant, pink shirt and a bouquet of roses into the adoring crowd and bid them farewell, leaving the nearly sold-out crowd craving just one more song from their favorite Charming Man.

Aside from the songs themselves the concert was typical of Morrissey; from the grandeur of the Wang Theatre, to the unpredictable set list, to the pre-show montage of his favorite video clips including the New York Dolls, excerpts of typically 1960’s English dramas and an Oscar Wilde backdrop. Morrissey engaged with the crowd throughout, giving him the chance to voice his opinion on the upcoming presidential election (“I really ought to say my interest in your election is sub-minus-zero”), as well as amusingly giving the audience his thoughts on the building of the grand Wang Theatre. The audience hung on his every word.

Morrissey’s stage presence and ability to make each song its own distinctive experience sets him apart from other artists and rightfully places him as one of the truly great musical entertainers of our time. The latest rumours currently circulating on the Internet are that the Smiths could have an unlikely reunion next year. However, with Morrissey in such fine voice and form his solo efforts are more than enough for even the most passionate Smiths fan.

Jonathan Smith can be reached at [email protected].