The Monkeys Back on the Farm

‘The Monkeys back on the Farm’

Last night 23.05.2023 saw Arctic Monkeys headline Glastonbury for a third time, becoming part of a select few bands to be in this club. 

So how was it? You’ll have heard mixed reviews, for some it was a career defining moment, for others it was awful.

I’m going to say it was neither. They were pretty good, but it was nothing to write home about. Having seen the band on this tour in Manchester, I know just how good they can be. Last night seemed a little flat to me. The songs were still there and the band played relatively well, but I supposed it lack the Glastonbury spark. 

I was also expecting some surprises, maybe a @mileskane appearance, or a return of ‘A Certain Romance’ we got neither.

The band played a mixture of material from all of their albums, in quite a varied setlist. With some big festival hitters in there and some shocks. (See setlist below)

Sculptures of Anything Goes’

‘Brianstorm’

‘Snap Out of It’

‘Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair’

‘Crying Lightning’

‘Teddy Picker’

‘Cornerstone’

‘Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?’

‘Arabella’

‘Four Out of Five’

‘Pretty Visitors’

‘Fluorescent Adolescent’

‘Perfect Sense’

‘Do I Wanna Know?’

‘Mardy Bum’

‘There’d Better Be a Mirrorball’

‘505’

‘Body Paint’

‘I Wanna Be Yours’

‘I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor’

‘R U Mine?’

I stand by what I’ve said before though, they still have a seat at the table with the British greats, and although this performance wasn’t their Live Aid, Spike Island, Knebworth moment, do they need one? Was the last time they played Glastonbury that moment?

Another thing I’ve also seen some saying, is this it? Will the band do this tour, and then call it day. Return to their ‘Jet Ski’s on the Moat’ or put on their ‘Golden Trunks’ I hope not. What do you think?

I’ll leave you with those burning questions.