The Smiths icon had refused to play in protest over seal clubbing

Morrissey has announced his first tour of Canada in 15 years, after previously vowing to boycott the country in protest against seal clubbing.

The former Smiths frontman yesterday confirmed his return for a tour in April, despite claiming in 2006 that the “horrific slaughter” of the animals meant that he would never play in Canada again.

He’ll kick off the tour on April 15 at Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre, before eventually winding down at Montreal’s MTELUS on April 29. You can see all the tour dates below.

APRIL

15 – Orpheum, Vancouver
17 – Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary
18 – Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton
20 – TCU Place, Saskatoon
22 – Centennial Concert Hall, Winnipeg
26 – Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto
27 – Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto
29 – MTELLUS, Montreal

The tour announcement comes after the singer said he was inspired to return in 2018 after realising that it was far more effective to make “sizeable donations to animal protection groups in each city”.

“My decision to return to Canada after almost 15 years of protest against its savage and Neanderthal annual Baby Seal Kill is entirely because my stance was ultimately of no use and helped no one,” said Morrissey in a post on MorrisseyCentral back in September.

“My voice was drowned out by the merciless swing of spiked axes crushing the heads of babies. On my return to Canada I feel that I can be of more use by making sizeable donations to animal protection groups in each city that I play. Thankfully there are many such organisations in Canada: Toronto Pig Save, Ottawa Animal Save, St John’s Chicken Save, Vancouver Chicken Save, and also PETA USA and DxE / Direct Action Everywhere.”

The tour announcement comes after Morrissey confirmed late last year that he will release ‘California Son’, a new covers album featuring takes on the likes of Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Joni Mitchell.

Last month, it was also revealed that Moz fans can now buy a FunkoPop figure of the singer – featuring his uncanny cartoon likeness.