Arctic Monkeys i-Tunes Festival, Roundhouse, London - Music News
Sheffield’s brightest sons had the North West London crowd mesmerised and in the palm of their jewellers hands. From the opening Library Pictures through to 505 neither band nor worshipper had any desire to loosen the grip. On a sticky night in the capital, the packed house showed their devotion with word-perfect singing, excitable mosh mayhem and much sweat. Turner, O’Malley, Cook and Helders gave them the ammunition.
The recently released fourth album, Suck It And See, boasted no less than seven tracks from the twenty strong set, and each received with immediate affection like new best friends. The blistering She’s Thunderstorms and instant joy of the Hellcat Spangled Shalalala are among those destined to be our lifelong mates. And they weren’t overawed alongside heavyweight classics I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor or When the Sun Goes Down. During the latter, Turner gave the crowd their acapella moment, and they sung the whole first verse like a gift to their idols.
While the languid cool Mr Turner led from the front with his warm Sheffield tones, Matt Helders, an emperor on his throne, pounded tribal machine gun beats, with ultra busy sticks in a blur of craft, industry and dynamic precision. Make no mistake, this kid is pure rhythm dynamite.
Their second album, 2007’s Favourite Worst Nightmares, equally had the lion’s share of the set, with the thunderous assault of Brianstorm and cheeky favourite Fluorescent Adolescent almost raising the circular roof. The marvellous Miles Kane, support for the night and Alex Turner’s co-Shadow Puppet, joined the band for the finale - the heart-wrenching jubilation of 505. A fitting end as the packed Roundhouse filtered into the warm London air, sad it was over but a joy in their step.
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