Tonight, Things Happen Here in Dartington traded standing-room chaos for seated candlelit calm as fans gathered for An Evening with Mark Morriss—a seated, intimate solo show that promises stories, songs, and a generous dose of self-deprecating charm.
Best known as the frontman of The Bluetones, Morriss has spent nearly three decades crafting melodic indie gems and perfecting the art of live performance. With six Bluetones albums, 14 Top 40 singles, and four solo records under his belt—not to mention collaborations with Matt Berry and the Maypoles, Mike Wilton, and The Helicopter of The Holy Ghost—he’s a seasoned storyteller with a back catalogue to match.
Tonight’s format is simple but effective: two acoustic sets, peppered with anecdotes from life on the road, tales of Britpop highs and shared house hilarity. Morriss has long prided himself on shows that are never quite the same twice, and Dartington’s relaxed setting only amplifies that spontaneity.
The evening began with local favourite Saff Juno, who eased the crowd in with her delicate acoustic set. Opening with “December Daisies”, she spoke of demonstrations in Exeter, burning houses, and a love letter to spring — themes that felt both raw and poetic. Her angelic vocals shimmered in the stripped-back setting, every note carried without the safety net of a band (not that she needed one).
Having played the venue before with her full band, Saff described her previous set as “a more rocked up version of what you’re hearing tonight.” Closing with “Nightmare Nightmare”, the absence of Josh DC’s electric guitar gave the track a haunting new edge. Thirty minutes flew by, leaving the audience warmed and eager for the main act.
For Morriss, this was a Dartington debut. Arriving “under the cover of darkness,” he joked that he could only imagine how nice the place looked. Armed with his acoustic guitar and trademark vocals, he delivered a blend of solo material and Bluetones classics — though, in his own words, “my solo stuff is a bit niche.”
Fresh from performing with The Bluetones at Shiiine On festival in Minehead, Morriss offered something more intimate here: stripped-back versions of beloved tracks, peppered with anecdotes that showcased his sharp humour.
Between songs, Morriss entertained with tales from his past: his grandfather doubting his musical future, his early days of pot-smoking “waiting for inspiration” (still waiting, he quipped), and the surreal moment when The Bluetones’ debut album was valued at £80 on BBC’s Bargain Hunt. “I’ve got a shed full of them,” he laughed, “so I’m sorted for life.”
He promised two 40-minute sets with a smoke break in between — “like an episode of Police, Camera, Action - you’ll have to wait for part two for the hits!” he quipped — his humour and musical brilliance kept the crowd hooked with both dazzling tracks and mischief.
The first set built steadily, weaving together solo curiosities and Bluetones favourites. Morriss shared stories of songwriting mishaps, including his brother accusing him of “doing a Roland” — a nod to a housemate who once plagiarised The Rolling Stones. Tracks like “A Parting Gesture” carried both humour and poignancy, while “I Was a Teenage Jesus” closed the opening half with Morriss urging the crowd not to wander too far before the promised “red hot action” of part two.
The second set erupted with energy, opening on the unmistakable chords of “Marblehead Johnson”. From there, Morriss moved through a mix of classics and newer material, including “Madeline” and “Never Going Nowhere”, both shaped by his collaboration with producer Gordon Mills. Audience laughter rang out during his tongue-in-cheek rendition of East 17’s “Stay Another Day” (it is nearly Christmas after all, while “Slight Return” proved that even stripped back, the song retained its full power. New tracks like “Drive Thru” and “In the Cut” hinted at the Bluetones’ forthcoming record, while “Cut Some Rug” and “Autophilia” brought the night to a rousing close, cementing Morriss’s ability to balance nostalgia with fresh creativity.
Morriss’s storytelling was as much a part of the show as the music.He told a story about a wedding gig where the bride and groom revealed themselves as the “swinging king and queen of the northwest”, forcing him to leave early in case the action got a bit rowdy for his liking! His humour kept the audience laughing throughout.
One particularly memorable moment came during “Slight Return”, when Morriss suggested fans grab scampi fries during the instrumental break. A packet was promptly launched at him, hitting square in the face. His dry “thanks” drew roars of laughter.
The night wound down with “Cut Some Rug” — a song inspired by his troublesome ex-housemate Roland — before an encore of “Autophilia”. Morriss thanked sound engineer Chris, opener Saff Juno, and the venue staff for their warm welcome, before heading to the smoking area to share drinks, banter, and more jokes with fans.
Mark Morriss’s Dartington debut was everything fans could hope for: a mix of Bluetones classics, solo curiosities, sharp humour, and genuine connection. Things Happen Here proved the perfect setting for a night where nostalgia met new beginnings, and where one of Britpop’s most distinctive voices reminded us why his songs — and stories — are as important today as they were in the early days of the band’s career.
Words and Pics - Steve Muscutt
