Arctic Monkeys returned to Belfast for the first time in over a decade on Monday in what can only be described as an utterly captivating show.
Originally set to play Marlay Park before headlining Glastonbury in the summer the band cancelled the gig as a precaution after front man Alex Turner contracted laryngitis. However, the addition of three shows in Dublin and one in Belfast as part of their year-long tour more than made up for it.
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Opening act Miles Kane warmed the crowd up nicely. As a member of supergroup, The Last Shadow Puppets alongside Turner, it is no surprise that his high energy performance perfectly primed the audience for the headliners.
After a brief intermission, the Sheffield-born rockers took to the 70’s-style stage met with the piercing screeches and screams from all over the packed arena.
Sharply dressed in suits and shades, the band opened with Sculptures of Anything Goes from their latest album ‘The Car’ before drummer Matt Helders turned it up a notch with Brianstorm and Snap Out of It.
The setlist was a carefully curated collection that spanned across Arctic Monkeys extensive 21-year-old back catalogue from The View from the Afternoon and Fluorescent Adolescent to I Wanna Be Yours and Body Paint.
Although the band have moved away from their distinctive rock ‘n’ roll sound over the last two albums, instead opting for a more experimental, avant-garde style. This combined with the bands older discography created a complimentary blend of new-age and nostalgia.
Despite the fact Turner spoke very little during the performance and has developed a reputation for regularly doing so, this quietness coupled with how he moved around the stage evidently added to the performance.
He is a true showman in the way he commands a crowd, exuding debonair charisma, the audience were completely mesmerised throughout. Watching him as he crooned newer material such as Tranquillity Base Hotel & Casino and switched between lead and rhythm guitar parts on older songs. The band as a whole, displayed a level of unity and interconnection that can only come from years of performing together.
When it came to performing the lead single from their new album There’d Better Be A Mirrorball no one was left disappointed as in the final moments of the song a giant spinning disco ball descended. Adorned with the band’s name on the outer circumference it lit up the whole arena complimenting an already electric performance.
Towards the end of the set, the band were joined on stage by stunning string section for 505, Do I Wanna Know? And Body Paint which added an element of elegance and elevated the show to another level by creating a beautiful ambience.
“Thank you, Belfast, we’re going to play some more songs” said Turner as the band came back on stage for their encore. Performing fan favourites, I Wanna Be Yours, I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor and finished with R U Mine? From their world-renowned ‘AM’ album.
“Beautiful crowd, it’s been a real pleasure” added Turner as they played their closer, still maintaining the same energy they had when the show began almost two hours prior.
The band ended on a high of epic guitar and drum solos, ensuring a memorable night for all of those in attendance.
Between Turner’s mastery showmanship and the bands musical prowess they have successfully cemented their status as one of the best live acts in the world right now.
The only note is that they should not wait another decade to come back to Belfast.
