You know a band is in high demand when every date listed on their website has “SOLD OUT” written next to it. Arctic Monkeys are that band right now. It took five albums before they broke big into America, but the group from the United Kingdom is currently killing it. I was lucky enough to see them Friday night at the Hard Rock Live in Orlando.
This new found success is mostly due to AM, the bands 5th
studio album released this past September. It is being critically acclaimed as
the guy’s best album since their 2006 debut - Whatever People Say I Am, That’s
What I’m Not. As a reference point, their debut album was the fastest-selling debut album in British
music history and remains the fastest-selling debut album by a group in the UK
today. (Sorry One Direction fans)
So what does a band with 3,500 screaming fans that paid top
dollar amounts to see them come out playing? How about your most popular song
at the moment? And that is exactly what the Arctic Monkeys did. Drummer Matt
Helders stomped on the bass drum and the guys strutted out on stage giving the
audience exactly what they wanted – an epic version of “Do I Wanna Know?” to
start off the night.
I've wondered before why more bands don’t come out with a
stronger opening. Too often I feel as though I go to shows that have slow
beginnings, taking the band 4-5 songs before they get into it. Now I’m not
suggesting Capital Cities should come out playing “Safe and Sound,” getting
their hit out of the way. But I believe it is allowed for an established band with
multiple albums, and Arctic Monkeys fit that mold. As the crowd cheered and
danced, you knew that the guys had set the tone, and that it was going to be a
special night.
The boys from Sheffield, England kept it high energy through
the first 45 minutes, playing tunes off all five of their albums. The mass of
people on the floor seemed to be moving as one during “Dancing Shoes,” and then
grooved together during the bouncy “Snap Out of It.”
I think the strongest section of the concert came from songs
10-16. Back to back tracks off AM – “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”
and “Arabella” erupted the crowd. I believe these songs compare the most to
better-known American rockers The Black Keys. Arctic Monkeys opened up for the
duo on their last summer tour, and the certain kind of blues-rock sound has
rubbed off on them.
Lead singer Alex Turner remembered his past albums as well,
and the crowd didn’t forget about them either. The loudest cheer of the night
may have been for the fan favorite “Fluorescent Adolescent,” off sophomore
album Favourite Worst Nightmare. And the best performance was arguably during
“Pretty Visitors” from Humbug. This was the perfect concert song, as Turner
had the entire band and crowd singing - “All the pretty visitors came and waved
their arms and cast the shadow of a snake pit on the wall.” The front man sang
so smoothly, just painting a picture with his lyrics.
The band took a quick break after “505,” before encoring
with fan friendly “Cornerstone” and another tune off AM – “One for the Road.”
Throughout the night Alex barely spoke. He finally let the crowd hear his
heavily accented talking voice before the final song, saying that the crowd was
his, and simply asking – “R U Mine?” This blistering finale sent the Arctic
Monkeys off just as strong as they came on stage.
The 90 minute set was definitely AM heavy, featuring 8 songs
out of 12 that appear on the album. (Which is nothing to complain about. It’s a
4.5 Star album in my opinion) The rest of the setlist contained 3 a piece from
Favourite Worst Nightmare, Humbug, and Suck It and See; 2 off their debut; and
1 from an earlier EP.
Overall, it’s tough to distinguish what genre Arctic Monkeys
fall in. They definitely have some punk in them, some blues, have the ability
to be straight up rockers, but can also sing ballads and do everything in
between. One thing for sure though, is that Alex Turner is a front man! The 28
year old was excellent throughout his entire performance. The guy can sing and
he showed off some confident dance moves.
The demand is high for these indie rockers right now. They
have the ability to play much larger venues than those they’re visiting this
tour. The guys will be back in the US this summer for some festivals. Who knows,
they may just be a headliner at Lollapalooza.
CONCERT RATING: 4 Stars
Setlist:
1. Do I Wanna Know?
2. Brianstorm
3. Dancing Shoes
4. Evil Twin
5. Snap Out of It
6. Crying Lightning
7. Don’t Sit Down Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair
8. Fireside
9. Reckless Serenade
10. Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?
11. Arabella
12. Pretty Visitors
13. I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
14. Suck It and See
15. Knee Socks
16. Fluorescent Adolescent
17. 505
Encore:
18. Cornerstone
19. One for the Road
20. R U Mine?
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