For an artist who is accused of peddling only dour, northern sentiments as dreary as a wet Monday in November, this sweltering May evening in Blackburn provided an almost inappropriate backdrop to a Morrissey show.

Of course, the assumption that a Morrissey show is only populated by bookish vegetarians intent on languishing over life's woes are as ill-informed as the belief that our summers are still blocked out by an industrial smog.

The man himself squirmed amid the heat, changing his sweat-soaked shirt three times and forcing his crew to provide an industrial-sized fan to the side of the stage.

An incendiary opening to the set did nothing to cool the enthusiasm of his dedicated congregation, who swayed and bounced to First Of The Gang To Die and a stunning rendition of The Smiths' Still Ill.

Morrissey threw familiar shapes as he sang, whipping his microphone lead, tousling his famous quiff and awkwardly gesturing into the air.

Despite advancing years and earning a robust, almost boxer-like frame, he still maintains a hectic pace when performing live.

Much of the set was based on songs taken from his new album Ringleader Of The Tormentors, a more complex and subtle record than those he wrote either in The Smiths or as the indie godfather of the nineties.

So, between boisterous crowd pleasers such as Girlfriend In A Coma, there were slow burning songs like the lengthy Life Is A Pigsty.

While the set may have lost some momentum, it gave a valuable opportunity for both Morrissey and the audience to catch their breath.

Endearing himself to crowds with his Wildean wit and local references is a particular privilege of seeing Morrissey live, and this gig was to be no different as he asked "Are you embarrassed of Jack Straw?" With little more response than a few boos he added "You should be".

He also said a warming hello to "the Clitheroe kids".

But the good natured exchanges turned sour in the middle of the set as he began to describe his sadness over the news of animal rights activists being imprisoned earlier that day, a cause which is close to his heart.

He had barely started his sentence when interruptions from a couple of audience members caused him to stop mid-sentence and ask "Should I go now?"

Thankfully Morrissey stayed to finish a set that rolled on to include a chugging version of In The Future When All's Well and a powerful version of How Soon Is Now culminating in an extended conclusion of thunderous drumming and squalling guitars.

His obvious anger at the interruption from the audience seemed to inject some aggressive energy into the remaining songs but, sadly he said nothing else to the audience for the rest of the set, leaving a sour taste to the evening's events.

He completed the show with an encore of Irish Blood, English Heart that spurred one last blast of ferocious movement, for those that still had enough energy to dance or even stand.

It was a show that had the satisfying combination of great songs, a hint of controversy and complete exhaustion for all involved.

Perhaps an apt reflection on the career of this valued artist.