NME: "Rick Astley tells us about his Glastonbury secret set of Smiths covers with Blossoms" (June 24, 2023)

Astley on the reactions of Morrissey and Johnny Marr, and what it means to play Glasto: "I know it’s sacrilege and they should hang the lot of us on the line for doing it, but I also just don’t care"

Rick Astley tells us about his Glastonbury secret set of Smiths covers with Blossoms

Rick Astley on his secret Glastonbury 2023 set of Smiths covers with Blossoms, and the reactions of Morrissey and Johnny Marr.

www.nme.com

Rick Astley/Blossoms play Smiths set at Glastonbury

 

[Dusty Miller's Hornpipe]

Yeah, the band have warmed up. Doing a great job with Frankly

 

[BookishBoy]

I love how he keeps checking the screen in front of him for the lyrics, bless him. But they sound pretty great! (Also, it looks at least 35 / 95 degrees in that tent, I hope Rick doesn't have a heart attack)

Would be flat out hilarious if they broke out "Suffer Little Children"...

 

[BookishBoy]

It feels like a very stark way of illustrating that these songs could only have been written by a deeply strange, brilliant, troubled, hilarious, twisted human being. (And Johnny Marr.)

 

[Uncleskinny]

This is glorious, he and the band are doing a fantastic job. Loving every second

 

[TheSmiths_1985]

This is fantastic.

 

[BookishBoy]

Ah yes, that early classic "The Devil Will Find Work" (via BBC News website)

 

[Famous when dead]

Ah yes, that early classic "The Devil Will Find Work" (via BBC News website)

View attachment 92247

I put "WDDIM (with falsetto)" initially in my setlist on page 1 before tidying it up...
I'm guessing the 'journalist' didn't know the abbreviated track name
BBC.
FWD.

 

[TheSmiths_1985]

Ah yes, that early classic "The Devil Will Find Work" (via BBC News website)

View attachment 92247

Relax, not everyone is a hopeless Smiths/Morrissey nut.

I’m watching it on a bit of a delay, Astley and the band are knocking one out in the park. Just enjoy it.

 

[BrummieBoy]

Rick Astley and The Blossoms are gonna get themselves....cancelled!

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[Anonymous]

If you’ve watched Rick Nasty singing The Smiths you’ll realize how shit someone else is at singing Morrissey’s lyrics. Music is ok.

Verdict: Skip and watch a Morrissey/Smiths gig on YouTube.

Why the f*** isn’t Morrissey headlining ffs!

 

[Bacari West Third]

It's really cringe. A jolly Smiths cover band. Feels like I'm at a wedding.

 

[Rufusindigo]

Very sweet post Smiths set interview with Rick Astley and Tom Ogden(?) from Blosssoms. Very complimentary about Morrissey as a vocalist and NO BUTS!!! On iplayer

 

[Anonymous]

It's really cringe. A jolly Smiths cover band. Feels like I'm at a wedding.

Cringe is right!

Did Morrissey ok this??

 

[Was I ever any good]

ASTLEY FOR PM.

 

[TheSmiths_1985]

Why the f*** isn’t Morrissey headlining ffs!

Homophobic journalists. Keep up.

 

[Anonymous]

Very sweet post Smiths set interview with Rick Astley and Tom Ogden(?) from Blosssoms. Very complimentary about Morrissey as a vocalist and NO BUTS!!! On iplayer

During the interview with Jo Whiley, Rick didn’t mention Morrissey at all. Ok, he did compliment Morrissey and the way he sings the lyrics, but he never once mentioned Morrissey. Un-f***ing-forgivable.

 

[Jackso]

Watched the whole set on iplayer. The band were good but Astley was awful and fairly unprofessional in terms of timing and needing the lyrics on a screen in front of him. He tries to belt the songs out and it just doesnt suit. He was the weakest link by far.

 

[Anonymous]

Homophobic journalists. Keep up.

Oh believe me, I’ve kept up! Don’t say anything about anything is the new agenda.

 

[bedlam breakout]

anyone spot the young kid in the morrissey t shirt during the pretenders spot? hope johnny saw it

 

[Bluebirds]

I see the reviews on social media are putting the boot in on dear ol' Mozzer for being a reactionary c*** nowadays... . Like he only wrote the f***ing songs ffs