On Monday evening, Indie rock legends the Arctic Monkeys kickstarted a week of high-profile events in the North East. The likes of Sam Fender and P!nk are all scheduled to grace the stages of three of the region’s football grounds before the end of the week.
The Sheffield lad's current run follows off the back of their recent headline appearance at Leeds Festival and the release of their new album The Car last year.
The band’s current run has taken the group across some of the UK's most prestigious outdoor venues, including their two nights at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester a few days prior and an impending homecoming date at Hillsborough next weekend.
@thenorthernecho Arctic Monkeys performing Flourescent Adolescent at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough last night @arcticmonkeysmusic ♬ original sound - Northern Echo Darlington
Fans flocked to Teesside to witness the return of the Arctic Monkeys for their first show in the North East since 2018. And their only show in Middlesbrough since 2007. Some fans had travelled as far as South America to witness the concert.
Those in attendance early in the evening were treated to a smorgasbord of international talent, including supporting sets from energetic Scandinavian rockers The Hives and rising stars of the indie world The Mysterines. Each of these did not disappoint.
The Hives proved to be a massive hit. Even though it was the band's first appearance on Teesside, frontman Pelle Almgvist made many new friends in the audience as he ventured down into the pit in front of the stage on more than one occasion. Of course, the inclusion of rock anthem Main Offender was one of the many highlights of the band's high-octane set. The Hives were truly entertaining and the perfect precursor to the Arctic Monkeys.
A huge Teesside roar as the headliners took to the stage to the sounds of Cornerstone. Alex Turner arrived bedecked in a grey suit and sporting shades as he gave a wave to the eager audience. The four-piece looked the epitome of rock and roll cool. An early airing of Brianstorm set the crowd into a frenzy.
The Arctic Monkeys spared no expense on their stadium production with large circular video screens at the rear, retro-style lighting and gargantuan mirror ball suspended above the stage.
The strong Middlesbrough audience hung on every word of fan favourite Snap Out of It. Emphatic renditions of Teddy Picker and The View From the Afternoon followed shortly after. Whilst Four Out of Five from the band’s Tranquillity Base Hotel & Casino album showcased a slightly mellower side to the band’s repertoire.
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Throughout their twenty-one song, career-spanning setlist, the Arctic Monkeys left no stone unturned. As dusk fell on the Riverside Stadium, frontman Alex Turner got the classic Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High underway from behind an on-stage piano. The song’s unmistakable bass line led the crowd into song. Arabella and an uplifting airing of Fluorescent Adolescent certainly pleased the North East audience.
The group slowed things down somewhat with the inclusion of Perfect Sense. The latter saw Turner sporting an acoustic guitar as mobile phone lights illuminated the stadium from all around.
In the latter stages of the set, a back-to-back run of Monkeys anthems that included both Do I Wanna Know? And Mardy Bum was a highlight.
Rather than going big on tracks from the band's new album The Car, only four songs from the Arctic's latest offering featured. These mostly took place at the end of the night and included a cinematic airing of There'd Better Be a Mirrorball and main set closer, Body Paint, along with Sculptures of Anything Goes. The Arctic Monkey’s latest output highlights their musical evolution.
But it was the group’s explosive encore featuring the classic I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor that was the cherry on top of a phenomenal evening of live music at the Riverside Stadium.
The Arctic Monkey's Middlesbrough set was stronger than Sheffield Steel.
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