Arctic Monkeys: 20th December, Birmingham NIA

As we (‘we’ being me and two friends) entered the oddly empty arena, it seemed only filled with early, front-row hopers, who were sat in a very primary school like fashion. It was strangely quiet and un-atmospheric for a band like Arctic Monkeys. Ok, granted we did get there early but only because we thought it would be packed as soon as the doors open like those campers waiting outside shops for the new iPhone to come out.

But thankfully it was all to change. As we followed suit by resting our muscles (but not our bony bums) on the solid floor, the crowd soon flooded in behind us, enough that we couldn’t see if there were more flooding in or not, so we figured it was filling up. The seated areas still remained fairly vacant but that’s expected of reserved seats.

After a lengthy one hour wait, the supporting and vastly contrasting band that are ‘The Eagles Of Death Metal’ appeared. Luckily, people were jossling for positions so they arrived to a standing audience not all seated. Lead Singer Jesse Hughes entered the stage very enthusiastically, immediately greeting them with a trademark rock hand salute. Though, to the unfamiliar listeners (i.e. Me and many, many others!), all the songs sounded terribly similar. All trying to portray this American hard rock attitude sound consisting of thumping drums and guitar solos. Yet, every song, bar a few, were just the same! I swear even the solos were only mildly tampered with each time. A welcome break took form in a more acoustic song, but entered immediately back with their original aurora.

Their attitude was clearly very American. I mean the rock salute was the first of many signs of this. Licking the tips of his fingers inbetween some chords, scraping back his long, light brown hair, stroking his ‘n’ shaped moustache, mirrored pilot shades on show, and lightning bolts over some of their clothes and guitars. To add to this were his crowd enticing phrases. Pick of the bunch was “I could tell this was a rock city as soon as I came!”

An odd choice of band to tour with so it seemed, but I think the fact that Josh Homme started The Eagles Of Death Metal back in 1998, and Josh’s recent partnership on Humbug with Arctic Monkeys is the only reason why they were sharing a stage. The set (thankfully) came to a close after an energetic but not so successful performance. Never the less, they left with a round of applause, a different reaction to that of the audience’s general opinion of their music.

But, look on the bright side, we all wanted to see Arctic Monkeys even more (if that was even possible)! Due to lack of space to sit down my legs and back started suffering. We figured that it must now be packed and after half an hour the seated audience were definitely arriving in their masses.

As the landmark 9 O’clock approached fans were expecting their band to appear any moment. The backing song stopped and the crowd waited, hoping, but a huge groan filled the stadium as another track played. After many more (on top of the already high number) cups of drink were thrown around the standing area, and it was clear that the crowd that consisted of all sorts of ages, styles and genders (which is a rare thing at a gig) were becoming a tad agitated. The next song finished to a tantalisingly long pause this time, then, the moment the night had been building up to, the lights dimmed. Enter Arctic Monkeys!

In enough words to string together one welcome sentence, the band opened with Humbug track Dance Little Liar, immediately followed by the hugely popular Brainstorm. The set continued with a mix of old favourites like I Bet You Look On The Dancefloor, A View from The Afternoon and When The Sun Goes Down (which the crowd absolutely loved!). It also had the not so well known songs from Humbug such as My Propeller, Potion Approaching, Pretty Visitors and The Jeweller’s Hands. Other songs played were two Humbug releases Crying Lightning and Cornerstone, and a slipped in B-side of Cornerstone, Sketchead.

I mentally questioned their ability to perform whilst under the blatant influence of drugs(either that or they have turned extremely weird in a short space of time), but no. This performance was flawless. There was perhaps a lack of words said, although probably for the better, the odd slurred ‘Thank you Birmingham’ was enough to accompany the fantastic music. Alex’s vocals were tune perfect, the instruments were expertly played, and it showed just how much the Arctic Monkeys, who once had that youthful orientated persona, had now grown into young, sophisticated men producing amazing music.

Effects such as big screens filming the performers, weirdly constructed lights/ornamental structures in the background only added to the show. The whole band’s hair has grown even longer! Alex Turner is looking at shoulder length any second, if it’s not already there that is, and Matt Helders, the previously only short haired band member, has a white mans afro! Strips of white and gold strips exploded on the last song, showering the fans.

They rounded off their exceptional set with Secret Door, leaving the stage with as little words as they entered. But calls for an encore were inevitable, and their comeback was just as predictable. Massive track Fluorescent Adolescent was rolled into festival reject Mardy Bum with no gap between the two. The night was drawn to a close with 505. Bright lights were shone into our eyes as the Sheffield band finished their astonishing show.

Going home, I was a happy man. Telling friends about the night just made me gleam at the fact that they were just so good. They lived up to any expectations, then surpassed them with an acknowledging nod. These boys are in a position to truly achieve greatness, and in the right manner. No over the top arena shows, just plain and simple good music. Utterly Fantastic.