On the date of 13th of June 2003, the budding talents of the Arctic Monkeys took to the stage for their debut live performance at The Grapes Pub, nestled in the vibrant City of Sheffield. The band enthralled an intimate gathering of 30-40 people, setting the foundation for their meteoric rise.
Fast forward two decades, almost to the date, and the Arctic Monkeys found themselves returning to their cherished hometown of Sheffield. Embracing their illustrious journey, the band embarked upon a triumphant homecoming, captivating the hearts of an awe-inspiring combined audience of 80,000 people at Hillsborough Park over the space of two nights. The ambience, teeming with anticipation from the get-go, transcended all expectations.
On Saturday, June 10th, the gates opened at 5PM, marking the beginning of an extraordinary evening that witnessed an ever-increasing crowd. The atmosphere flourished with eagerness as two incredible support acts, The Mysterines and The Hives, took the stage prior to the highly anticipated headliners. Both acts performed admirably, captivating the audience with popular songs and engaging interactions with the crowd, including a thrilling crowd surf by Pelle Almqvist, further elevated the overall experience. A truly wonderful job by the support acts in warming up the audience and setting the stage for an unforgettable night.
In the midst of the hottest weekend experienced in the UK this year so far, the long-awaited return of the Arctic Monkeys assumed an even more extraordinary dimension. As the scorching sun bathed the surroundings in its warm embrace, an air of exhilaration permeated the crowded park. Eager anticipation coursed through the veins of the assemblage, intensifying with each passing moment.
Finally, the moment arrived. With an almost ethereal presence, the Arctic Monkeys graced the centre stage at 8:50pm, igniting a symphony of ecstatic screams that reverberated through the entire venue. The invigorating combination of guitar, bass, and drums epically began, creating a euphoria as the opening chords of the electrifying Brainstorm pierced the air.
The surroundings pulsated with an intoxicating energy, enveloping the crowd in an irresistible magnetic pull. This electrifying fervour persisted seamlessly into the next song of the night, Snap Out Of It, engulfing the audience in a tidal wave of bliss.
Then, as if tailor-made for the moment, the Arctic Monkeys delved into the resounding chords of Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I Moved Your Chair, a personal favourite of mine. In a tribute to their return to Sheffield, the charismatic front-man himself, Alex Turner, playfully acknowledged his seated position, a homage to his cherished presence in the very place he longed to be.
As the night unfolded and the breathtaking sunset painted a captivating backdrop, the curated set-list of 21 songs delighted the eager audience with a marvellous range spanning the band’s discography. A delightful surprise awaited fans as gems like From The Ritz and The Rubble and Pretty Visitors made their appearance, adding an exhilarating twist to the evening’s set-list.
Amidst the surprises, the band also indulged their devoted followers with timeless classics, including the beloved anthems Mardy Bum, Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High, Fluorescent Adolescent, R U Mine, plus others. Each resounding chord and soul-stirring lyric resonated through the crowd, igniting a collective frenzy of sing-alongs and impassioned cheers.
However, the night also possessed moments of respite, allowing attendees to catch their breath from the pulsating intensity. Melodic marvels like Perfect Sense, There’d Better Be A Mirrorball, Body Paint, and Sculpture of Anything Goes, drawn from the band’s latest album, The Car, evoked a mesmerising sway and brought a tranquil serenity, the audience surrendering completely to the Arctic Monkeys’ enchantment.
While Turner’s decision to sing lyrics in a different tune than the recorded versions of the tracks may have taken fans on an unexpected detour, I personally found great enjoyment in witnessing the display of his remarkable vocal range.