by Brian Corliss
Photo credit: @AMonkeys_Newsfr
It only took five critically revered studio albums for Sheffield's Arctic Monkeys to earn the top billing for a sold-out show at the "World's Most Famous Arena," Madison Square Garden. Hot off the heels of the September release of their fifth album, A.M., the band continues to deliver the indie-pop grooves and sly love-sickened lyrics that have made them such giants in today's music scene.
Arctic Monkeys returned to the venue for their only local stop during the international "A.M. Tour," having played as the opening act last year for a rather unknown, real green, real underground, band called The Black Keys. On their return visit, the Sheffield quartet headlined and passed the opener duties to the Georgia-based Deerhunter. I've dabbled in some Deerhunter and they played a great set, but it was truly the Arctic Monkeys' night, as attested by the shrills and shrieks of the crowd upon Alex Turner's entrance.
As they pointed out during the concert, it was fitting that England's biggest band (next to Muse, that is) would be playing in New York City on the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' landing at JFK Airport, playing the Ed Sullivan Show, and changing an entire generation of Americans. When Alex stepped out around 9:20 onto the shadowed staged, greeted by the immediate ear-shattering screams, it was hard not to reminisce (as best as this 23-year-old can) on the Fab Four's first performance half a century ago. Then, as the background pieces comprising hundreds of light bulbs burst out a shimmering display of "A" and "M," they kicked straight into the mega-popular single "Do I Wanna Know?"
To my delight, they followed the newest single with "Brianstorm," and really got the place shaking. Despite the fact that more than half of their set came from A.M., Arctic Monkeys still found room to dust off fan favorites such as "Cornerstone," "Old Yellow Bricks," "I Bet You Look Good on The Dancefloor," "Fluorescent Adolescent," "Crying Lightning," "Dancing Shoes," and "505." Every moment of the band's performance was electric, and they nailed each song they played—although with just a brisk 90-minute set, Alex and company could have found the time to add other non-A.M. tracks like "From Ritz to Rubble" and "Teddy Picker."
Photo credit: BrooklynVegan
My overly critical opinion of song choice was blown to a million insignificant pieces when they stepped back on stage for the encore. Alex Turner spoke on The Beatles' 50th anniversary before covering "All My Loving." In what was the first and likely only live performance of a Beatles song I will ever experience, I couldn't have asked for a better band to pay tribute and approach their music so faithfully.
This being my fifth time seeing Arctic Monkeys live, my expectations were high, but this weekend's performance was an amazing display of musical talent—featuring an incredible guest appearance by guitarist Miles Kane, a surprise cover of one of rock's greatest, and an all-around fun time thanks to the effortlessly enjoyable band. I cannot wait for what they'll have in store when they release a new album, and I'll be damn sure to pick up tickets for when they're in town again.