OPENING with the belting Do I Wanna Know, Arctic Monkeys didn’t utter a word upon arriving on stage, letting the music do all the talking. And in fact, it was the first time ever in the UK that this song has done anything, but despite its UK live debut the crowd went nuts and it was a welcomed opener. With 3/4 of the band in suits, leaving it to Matt Helders to represent the denim trend- the sleek hair and flawless riffs edged the band comfortably into their set. The dirty bass line of the new single took you on a rhythm trip through a love song that has power way beyond any song they have created thus far.
It was straight into Brianstorm next, and it was between this instrumental Turner welcomed the crowd in a way that proved he’d spent quite some time in America. Confident and with ease, he stood centre stage owning the crowd.
With darkness sparking the set alight and the lights working in time with the upbeat Dancing Shoes, the monkeys played through a special set list including the proceeding favourites, Don’t Sit Down Cayse I’ve Moved Your Chair, Crying Lighting and a surprise addition Teddy Picker. The band looked at ease, after all they have been in this same spot once before. And as they begin Brick by Brick, the immense crowd bounce and sing to each and every beat.
Fake Tales of San Francisco is a true fan favourite and the crowd’s reaction brings the song right into 2013, amazing really that this was an indie anthem some eight years ago. The clever lyrics and sing-along “put down the handbook and get off the band wagon” echo throughout the Pyramid Stage area which is swarming off to the sides and to the top of the hill.
She’s Thunderstorms could have been left out of the set in my opinion, its clear the crowd are grabbing onto the anthems from Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m not- and its songs like Yellow Bricks from the second album Favourite Worst Nightmare that truly allowed the Arctic Monkeys a place in the indie circuit during the noughties.
The twenty-one-track heavy set continues at great pace, as the band drum out Pretty Visitors in a flash. And before we know it, its 2005 again as the debut from the Monkeys I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor sends the crowd into a stream of moving, jumping and chanting loons- in the nicest possible way. The thousands that stand amongst me in the crowd can’t possibly be a Monkeys fan- but they are doing a good job of trying it out for size.
Do Me a Favour and R U Mine bring the crowd back down to earth from the previous track that made the Monkeys. Both tracks have the right amount of dirty bass to get the crowd going.
Cornerstone was somewhat of a surprise for an encore, with the crowd going mad for delicious lyrics “I smelt your scent on the seat belt and kept my short cuts to myself.” The band then leave the stage, leaving the crowd in the darkness as it approaches midnight.
They say you can’t write a good tune without some heartache and going by the more mature monkey tracks in the set list, Turners breakup from long term girlfriend Alexa Chung has paved the way for some tremendous song writing- and you can rely on the rest of the band to pull it in tight and bring the Monkeys energy that was born way back in 2005.
A string quartet treats the crowd to magnificent version of Mardy Bum. This is a great highlight of the set and a true crowd-pleaser. When the Sun Goes Down alights the crowd like a ball of fire as lyrics are thrown from Turner with great power.
Miles Kane is introduced to the stage like a true hero for the final track 505. This is the perfect comedown from one of the most impressive sets of the festival thus far. The crowd gave it 110% and the same can only be said for the band. At the top of their game, even if the arrogance seeping from Turner is a little annoying- you can’t deny they know how to put on a show.
It’s not sweetness and light that’s got the monkeys through four albums, ready to release their fifth. They are a generation band speaking to the heartbroken sweethearts and reebok-classic-pool-que-fighting-chavs- there’s something for everyone and the long stretched crowd at the pyramid stage on Friday are proof of that.
By Nadine Walker
The Arctic Monkeys will headline Electric Picnic festival in Stradbally this August. For more information and tickets visit http://www.electricpicnic.ie/.
Setlist-
Do I Wanna Know?
Brianstorm
Dancing Shoes
Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair
Teddy Picker
Crying Lightning
Brick by Brick
Fake Tales of San Francisco
She’s Thunderstorms
Old Yellow Bricks
Pretty Visitors
I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
Do Me a Favour
R U Mine?
Mad Sounds
Fluorescent Adolescent
A Certain Romance
Encore:
Cornerstone (Semi acoustic, accompanied by string section)
Mardy Bum (Semi acoustic, accompanied by string section)
When the Sun Goes Down
505 (with Miles Kane) (Happy Birthday was sung prior for Alex’s mum)
