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Live Review: Arctic Monkeys

The Arctic Monkeys have had a career unmatched by any other band since Oasis. Hatti Linnell reviews at their first set of UK dates since 2011

Friday 25 October 2013

Photo credit: Charlotte Bradshaw

Date: 23rd October 2013 Venue: Phones 4 U Arena, Manchester Supporting act: The Strypes

When the Arctic Monkeys announced that they were playing their first UK tour for two years, their fans went into a frenzy. Tickets were like gold dust, selling out in within minutes and causing site crashes for multiple online ticket merchants. Managing just to purchase a ticket was considered an achievement in itself, so my friends and I were pretty excited to be going, to say the least.

I wouldn’t have described myself as a massive Arctic Monkeys fan. In fact, I never liked them at first. As someone who always approaches that band that everyone’s talking about with caution, I found myself reluctant to enjoy the singles taken from the debut, only learning to appreciate Turner’s lyrical intelligence (which, in my opinion, has yet to be rivalled), on receiving the second album as a gift.

What I hadn’t yet realised is that the Arctic Monkeys’ music comes into its own in an arena setting in a way which is difficult to describe. There are 21,000 seats in the MEN Arena, but I can tell you that when http://nouse.co.uk/2013/10/25/live-review-arctic-monkeys Archived 11 Dec 2018 06:46:54 Nouse Web Archives Live Review: Arctic Monkeys Page 2 of 5 the Arctic Monkeys walked onto the stage, I looked around and not a single person was sitting down. They opened up with the second single from the new album AM, ‘Do I Wanna Know?’, which was, in my opinion, the best song of the gig. The slow build-up of density and darkly addictive riff put it in a league of its own. The atmosphere was absolutely indescribable. The band seemed so at ease with performing in such a big space and they followed their astounding opening with a mini best-of set, including songs from all five of the albums which compose their now formidable back catalogue. They interwove some new songs into the old further through the set, which I really enjoyed despite the fact that I haven’t given the new album a proper listen yet. Towards the tail end of the gig came old favourites such as ‘I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor’ and ‘Fluorescent Adolescent’, tracks which are now so iconic that we couldn’t believe we were seeing them live. No one moved an inch during the wait for the encore and they returned for three more songs, including an acoustic version of ‘Mardy Bum’, which I found a little too mellow, and ending on ‘R U Mine’, controversially leaving ‘When the Sun Goes Down’ off the set list. It was still a great track to end the set on though.

As someone who rarely goes to arena gigs, I really loved this one. The guitar playing, especially in the new songs, seemed to belong in a stadium environment and the songs were absolutely suited to an arena atmosphere. The band is at the top of their game and it was an unforgettable experience.

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13 comments

Chester 26 Oct ’13 at 12:36 am

great band!

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Deano 26 Oct ’13 at 2:55 pm

We see them in London last night… Awesome as ever !!!! Thumping Basslines from the new tunes pumped all through the Earls court Arena The Standing fans went wild with the classic tunes.. Good on the dancefloor, Brianstorm, Fluorescent, Teddypicker.. Everyone sung along with the slow ones… Mardybum, Cornerstone

Sad to see tracks missed out like… Sun goes down, Certain Romance and 505 and for a change No Miles Kane…

Fantastic Gig but 90 mins is never long enough :( How about stretching it to 2 hours Alex, its not like you dont have enough tunes now ;)

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Dave Simmons 26 Oct ’13 at 3:46 pm

Saw them last night in London at earls court.. 1 st time since O2 in London on 2011 uk tour. I thought they were unbeatble 2 years ago but last night was just amazing! The new songs were brilliant and fitted along side the old favourites perfectly. Great to see mardybum back aswel! R u mine at the end was superb! Yeah, shame to not hear 505 and sun goes down but in a 90 minute gig I suppose u can only get so much in! That’s why they r so much better now than 2 years ago because the new album is so good. The set was spot on. Brilliant gig, best I’ve ever been to! Cannot wait to see them again. For anyone that hasn’t had the pleasure of watching the monkeys live… I urge u to have a go u will not be disappointed :) http://nouse.co.uk/2013/10/25/live-review-arctic-monkeys Archived 11 Dec 2018 06:46:54 Nouse Web Archives Live Review: Arctic Monkeys Page 3 of 5

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Nick 26 Oct ’13 at 6:13 pm

Shambolic Review – Lost me in the first few lines ( ‘I wouldn’t have described myself as a massive Arctic Monkeys fan. In fact, I never liked them at first.’) and finishing your piece with ( ‘As someone who rarely goes to arena gigs’) – Why did you even bother going? Fake Fan.

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shut up, nick 26 Oct ’13 at 6:46 pm

Just because the writer is honest enough to admit that she didn’t like them at first doesn’t make it a “shambolic review”. In fact, it makes it more unbiased and objective which is what reviews should be. Also, why does the fact that she hasn’t been to many arena gigs make any difference whatsoever? Do you think that people who have never been to arena gigs shouldn’t be allowed to start going to them? Are you retarded? People like you are running this country! I’m gonna hunt you down and punch you in the ovaries!!! In conclusion, shut up, nick.

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shut up, nick 26 Oct ’13 at 6:51 pm

P.s. “Nick” rhymes with “dick”!!! Hahahahahaha! I think we all learned a lot today.

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Ryan Collingwood 27 Oct ’13 at 4:59 am

Arctic Monkeys fans are wankers.

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Ryan Collingwod`s an Arsehole 27 Oct ’13 at 6:09 am

If all monkeys fans are wankers, Why are you here… ?

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Marvellous... 27 Oct ’13 at 6:18 am

review. Insightful and succinct summary of the night’s set list that only a true music fan could transcend beyond having never “described myself as a massive Arctic Monkeys fan”. Good stuff.

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York Duck 27 Oct ’13 at 2:50 pm

Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack. Quack!

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Linnellfan2K13 27 Oct ’13 at 7:22 pm

This article is honest, fun and enjoyable to read. Linnell you impress me once again. http://nouse.co.uk/2013/10/25/live-review-arctic-monkeys Archived 11 Dec 2018 06:46:54 Nouse Web Archives Live Review: Arctic Monkeys Page 4 of 5

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A confused onlooker. 28 Oct ’13 at 11:01 am

Don’t understand all the hate for the article. The review was honest and unbiased. Some people obviously have nothing better to do with their lives than to attack student journalists while sat safely behind their computers.

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505? 21 Nov ’13 at 4:42 am

You say it’s controversial to drop WTSGD… But don’t mention the dropping of 505? That’s the real upset. Other than that, great gig and decent review.

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