Arctic Monkeys take 'The Car' for a Spin

This weekend, the 2nd and 3rd of June 2023, the Arctic Monkeys brought their UK tour to Manchester. It saw the band play the Lancashire County Cricket Club for the 3rd and 4th time. First playing the famous venue in 2007, touring 'Favourite Worst Nightmare'

It also happened to be my first time seeing the band. Many of my friends were seeing them for the first time to. Arctic Monkeys have come to soundtrack our lives, I suppose we were in the second wave of Monkey's fans that started to follow the band after the success of 2013's 'AM' so seeing them was a big deal. 

There was one burning question that was playing on mind though. How would the new songs fit in. 2018's 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino' and 2022's 'The Car' had really divided the fan base, and even those of us who liked the albums were a little apprehensive how they would sound live.

How did they sound? Keep reading and I will tell you!

With the show being a stadium show, the band needed to win over the big crowd and they did that after the first song. A brilliant rendition of 2007's 'Fluorescent Adolescent' the 50,000 strong crowd bellowed out the lyrics, danced, started mosh pits and even lit flares. What on earth were we worried about! The set didn't slow down from there though 'Brianstorm' 'Don't Sit Down Cause I've Moved Your Chair' 'Crying Lightning' 'Snap Out of It' 'Teddy Picker' all followed at frightening speed, the band knew the audience and they played like it was one of there first ever gigs giving us newer fans a taster of the early stuff. 

'Four of Five' began the middle section of the gig, and the song takes on a new sense of urgency live. It was one of my set highlights and I wasn't the only one enjoying myself. The crowd took to it too. The song began a section of Monkey's deeper cuts 'Cornerstone' followed and I was definitley glad to hear that. It is easily my favourite Arctic Monkeys song, and I still believe it's the best song Alex Turner has ever written. Hearing it live was a spine tingling experience, the 50,000 strong crowd chanting those lyrics back to Alex was one of the sets high points. 

'My Propeller' and 'Suck it & See' were welcomed additions to the set, it was great to see that the band were not afraid to play some deeper cuts. Not always relying on the hits made from a welcome change of pace. They are also great songs, 'My Propeller' provided a dark gothic edge that we didn't really get from any of the other songs. 'Suck it & See' is one of the best love songs the band have ever written and it got a great reception.

'AM's' tracks got a great reception throughout the gig 'Arabella' was met with screams and cheers and they didn't forget the guitar solo. 'Why Do You Only Call Me When Your High?' was given a lounge sheen and piano solo. 'Do I Wanna Know' is still one of the best songs of the last fifteen years and a true live stomper. 

'Mardy Bum' got arguably the best reception of the night, it was a brilliant move for the band to bring it back. It had been 15 years since the band had last played it as a full band before this tour, and it still brings the house down. It's relatable lyrics about young love related with every member of the audience. A true universal anthem.

'There'd Better Be a Mirrorball' was the first time 'The Car' got an outing a orchestral masterpiece that made the crowd stop and watch in awe. The band had us in the palm of their hand. Alex swaggered around like the very best frontmen, ever. It was a perfectly timed moment played as the sun began to set over the Northern City. If the album hadn't landed with everyone, this moment might have made some give it another chance. 

'505' was the penultimate song of the main set, what can I say about this song that hasn't been said a 1000 times before. It is still one of the bands best and the crowd definitely agreed with the lyrics being belted back at full pelt, and mosh pits opening up. It was a celebration of just how far the band had come and one for all the fans. 'Body Paint' from 'The Car' was chosen to end the show. Highlighting the band's confidence in these new songs and playing it  Side-by-side with '505' they showcase Turner's lyricism at its finest, despite coming 15 years apart. This song also saw the band go very '70s' with long guitar solos and an extend outro. 'Body Paint' isn't going anywhere it will be in the setlist for a very long time. I for one don't mind that, seeing it live was probably the gig highlight for me. The whole thing was breathtaking.

A three song encore, saw 'The Car' get it's final outing with 'Sculpture's of Anything Goes' another high point of the show, a dark menacing track unlike anything the band have ever done before. Two of the band's biggest hits follow, the two songs that grabbed teenagers 8 years apart. 'I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor' got a huge reception. It might not have been played at the ferocious pace as it once was but each member of the band played a blinder and the 50,000 strong backing vocalists, well I'd like to think we did our job! 'R U Mine' ended the show and as you'd expect carnage would ensue. It was always going to get that reaction. 

The band had taken us on a trip, through the back cataloge and given fans one of the best stadium shows they will ever see. Songs from 'The Car' had become stadium anthems in there own right and stood up alongside anything else in the bands eclectic discography.
Arctic Monkey's have driven 'The Car' into the club with the stadium acts now, they have to be in the conversation as one of Britain's best bands ever. They have to be.

In terms of British bands they have to be up there with the most important. The 60s had The Beatles & The Stones. The 90s Oasis and Blur. Well the 00s, 10s and maybe even the 20s have the Arctic Monkeys. Like it or not they’ve got a seat at the table with the very best.

Friday proved that for me, what other band can sing about Sheffield Nightclubs and Hotels on the moon in the same night! 

Thank you for reading x