Arctic Monkeys Birmingham Barclaycard Arena 15.09.2018
Arctic Monkeys
Birmingham Barclaycard Arena
15.09.2018
A long time ago 2007 I think, this band played a secret gig in the 'Parr Hall' Warrington, I recall people queueing round the block to get their hands on tickets the band were so popular after uploading their tracks on My Space, hailing from Sheffield (Rotherham), I missed the chance to go and wasn't aware of the fuss at the time.
Fast forward 11 years and the band still sell out every venue having to play 3 shows in Sheffield and 2 in Manchester, the demand was even more so with the new album 'Tranqility Base Hotel And Casino' not even fresh in everyone's mind and having just headlined Glasgow's 'TRNSMT Festival' they rolled out on a Huge UK Tour.
So far the girls are outnumbering the boys in the queue for 'Alex' & Co, as we wait to go into the venue I know 3 things avoid the left as there is a camera on stage and don't even try to sing the new songs , and 3 prepare for 'Aggro' the latter not as bad as anticipated, though I imagine 'Manchester' would be top in those stakes.
There's 1 support band tonight 'Lemon Twigs' from Long Island in New York, much touted as the band to see ,lets see.. well they've clearly been taking lessons from 'Jet' that's for sure their sound is very similar and , frontman 'Brian' plays the arrogant card by not speaking to the crowd after the songs (when he did speak I couldn't hear him he was trying to sound stoned) it looks a bit awkward and juvenile.
He also thinks he's the new 'Mick Jagger' he wears 70's style tight jeans, 'Jaggeresque' bob with his constant 'Trademark' high kicks with butt sticking out... fine if it was for one song ,but he over-cooked it a bit ,they need to learn that as a support band there's no room for not Thanking the audience, they walked off without saying a word,potentially a good band with the right advice ,right now no charisma and not believable.
9pm nearly time for 'The Arctics' the bands unique 70's style 'Tv Set' stage with theatrical curtains is certainly very imaginative ,no doubt the brain child of 'Alex Turner', the lights go down and the band walk onto the stage to the roar of the crowd .
'Alex' with his freshly shaved hair and suave suit, trousers with red stripe side detail, take's a seat at the keyboards and begins with 'Star Treatment' from the new album, a bold choice , it's the critically acclaimed album everyone has been talking about this year , it even had fans divided, its the furtherest from an 'Arctic Monkeys' album they dared to make, lounge music with 'Bowiesque' vocals it's as experimental as 'Low' I'd say, sounds interesting live and some of those tracks get the crowd going.
'Alex' grabs the mic and guitar and welcomes us to the show and launches straight into 'Brianstorm' everyone goes crazy the crowd are up and jumping and then another fav immediately followed 'Snap Out Of It' , later 'Crying Lightening' that 3 of my favs already.
It was great to see everyone singing in unison to all the lyrics theres clearly an unbroken unity between band and the crowd 'Lyric' wise, equally the band look relaxed with it all, later on we are treated to 'Cornerstone' and 'Don't Sit Down Cos I Moved Your Chair' Bloody love that song!!.
In my opinion 'Do I Wanna Know' is a masterpiece it's one of the best songs without being too far commercial,glad they put it in the setlist, the crowd wanted more so after a good 5 minutes they returned with an encore, 'Alex' smiling looking chuffed with himself kicking off the encore with 'Arabella'.
They then lifted the roof off with 'I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor' and finally closed with another of my fav's 'R U Mine', extremely riveting band to watch, the new songs are an acquired taste but are captivating when delivered in a live performance to a sell out crowd like tonight.
Next Time...
A Full Tour report on The Impossible Princess
Lmi xo
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