Arctic Monkeys closed their latest North American chapter with an intimate farewell at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Passionate fans lined up early for this small show. Arctic Monkeys sold out Rumsey Playfield at Central Park and play larger venues any other day. Those in attendance witnessed the band hitting its stride.
Arctic Monkeys – Suck It And See
Throughout their career, Arctic Monkeys have been anything but low profile. Their debut in 2006, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, grabbed everyone by the ear. Through it’s five year existence and four albums, the band has grown immensely. Alex Turner is still coming in to his own as a musician. At 26, he’s already received accolades for his lyrics and storytelling and has now added showman to his repertoire. As a band, Matt Helders, Nick O’Malley and Jamie Cook create plenty of noise in their own right, confidently crafting and shaping the sound of Arctic Monkeys.
Read more of the review plus a full gallery of photos and the set list after the jump
Suck and See It, released this year, was another step away from the band’s youthful kinetic debut. Swirling, psychedelic rock and stomping rhythms see this band more than just posing and trying something on. There is a swagger and undeniable confidence in each song. When looking at bigger hits from their first two albums, guitar lines were frantic, scrambling to take hold. The urgency and youthful discovery was vibrant, immediate and engaging. Sly lyrics and deft melodies were subtly riding these waves.
A funny thing happened for Arctic Monkeys and their next two albums. They refused to be content with past success. Guitar lines became steady, sturdy anchors pulling in one direction while Turner and company began to understand that time is on their side. Much can be said riding a riff propelling you to the finish in a sprint, but in a marathon it is all about pacing. For Arctic Monkeys, they have begun to understand just how deep they can go.
At the Music Hall of Williamsburg, Suck It and See was the focal point but Arctic Monkeys did not leave fans wanting. “Pretty Visitors,” with its chugging chorus and quick pick-me-up verses, started the night drenched in that new Arctic Monkeys sound. Turner was playing to the crowd the whole night, cracking jokes with fans and band members, greeting fans and hugging a man who crowd surfed his way on stage. Live, Arctic Monkeys are a beast of band, music and talent coming from every angle and never missing a beat. Set lists are crafted with spot on ebbs and flows. This is a band who knows what they can do and aren’t afraid to show off. Arctic Monkeys refuse to stay in the shadows.
As with the Central Park show, there were plenty from Suck It and See and a great mix of new and old. There was even a new track, “Evil Twin,” which was consistent with newer material, showing off a great balance between deliberate pacing and concussive hooks.
Early on fans were treated to “She’s Thunderstorms” and “Fluorescent Adolescent” which caused fans to push and move around, but never to the point that it was dangerous. In fact, the Central Park show looked more rowdy than this one. Newer songs like “Black Treacle” have a great pull about that, constantly swallowing up the audience. When Arctic Monkeys ripped into the middle of the set with “Brianstorm,” “The View From the Afternoon,” “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor,” “This House is a Circus” and “Still Take You Home,” it was celebratory and showed how much their catalog of songs have grown. It was like the best part of an entree, when all the ingredients hit and all the notes and accents shine.
For New York, this may have been one of the smallest venues Arctic Monkeys have played in. They played at Roseland in 2006 and have continued to play large venues from that point on. The band closed their set with “When the Sun Goes Down” but not before saying goodbye with a proper encore. “Teddy Pickers,” “Crying Lightning” and “505″ saw the band saying goodbye to this North American tour but promising to be back in 2012.
Arctic Monkeys Set List
Pretty VisitorsÂ
Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your ChairÂ
She’s ThunderstormsÂ
Fluorescent AdolescentÂ
The Hellcat Spangled ShalalalaÂ
BrianstormÂ
The View From The AfternoonÂ
I Bet You Look Good On The DancefloorÂ
This House Is A CircusÂ
Still Take You HomeÂ
Evil TwinÂ
Brick by BrickÂ
Black TreacleÂ
Do Me A FavourÂ
Suck It and SeeÂ
When The Sun Goes DownÂ
-Encore-
Teddy PickerÂ
Crying LightningÂ
505Â
Arctic Monkeys
Smith Westerns
