Last night I went to see Arctic Monkeys on the second night of their tour. I had only ever seen AM once before at Glastonbury, which was obviously amazing, but I was interested to see their tour for their new album AM.
Firstly, can I just ask the world; why has everyone got so painfully delicate about Arctic Monkeys nowadays? Fair enough AM was really hugely overrated but it seems like the world has been split into Alex Turner FANGIRLS and people scathingly angry at the fact that No 1 Party Anthem wasn't amazing...?
After spending a tense few hours plotting to find the right door to queue at to get to the front, we finally got let into the arena and speed walked to the barrier and slammed ourselves down, securing our place at the front. Their only support act was a bit of a hype band at the minute, The Strypes. Initially when listening to their music at home I wasn't too enamoured. However, when they came on stage with their mod revival hair do's and their suits I was absolutely blown away. Their songs were really enjoyable, if a tiny bit samey, but I'm sure once you know the band you don't get that. There's been a big sort of buzz around how young the band is, but I can honestly say that this didn't show in their skills. They were all extremely skilled musicians, especially Lead Guitarist. They all had charisma and they were fun to watch - will definitely be seeing them next time they're around Leeds.
Arctic Monkeys didn't faff about and came on fairly soon after The Strypes had left. Opening with Do I Wanna Know, they played a long setlist containing mainly AM stuff, but some classics such as Flourescent Adolescent, I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor (opening with "LAAAADDDIES") and Cornerstone (a particular favourite of mine). The first thing I figured watching Alex was that if you put him next to Whatever People Say I Am... Alex with his shelltoes and scruffy hair you wouldn't for a minute think he could turn into the suave and sexy guy he is now. Sporting a suit with a large cowboy belt buckle, and his new signature quiff, he didn't look like he come from Sheffield! He has developed a real showmanship, avoiding playing guitar all the way through songs and instead dancing and acting along to the lyrics of his song, which instead of being cheesy was actually quite entertaining. Particular favourite being when he made his pick disappear during the beginning lyrics in Crying Lightening: the man is obviously a wizard.
They ended the night with an encore of Snap Out of It (not bad but not my favourite), a lovely semi-acoustic performance of Mardy Bum, incorporating Don't Look Back In Anger lyrics as a homage to Manchester, and finally R U Mine which left the concert on an amazing high. The sold out stadium was obviously impressed and they will be welcomed back to Manchester as soon as possible.
On a last note - can we all please be very impressed that I ate three mcdonalds whilst waiting for the concert to start? Yes I think we can.
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