Welcome to my 2009 live music reviews page

Arctic Monkeys Nottingham FM Trent Arena, 22 Nov. 2009

Did someone switch on the dry ice machine during the soundcheck and, inadvertently, forget to switch it off?

There’s a mist settling inside the Trent FM Arena as we arrive. The Nottingham centre, which enjoys a double life as both a concert venue and a national ice hockey and skating facility, is packed like a fridge-freezer tonight.

The fog eventually lifts on the 10,000 capacity crowd when four lads from Sheffield take to the stage at 9.05pm for a blistering 70-minute show [plus encores]. It’s a steamy set, carefully crafted to get the temperature to boiling point.

Songs from the band’s controversial third album ‘Humbug’ take precedence as the set kicks off strongly with ‘Dance Little Sister’. Warming up, Alex Turner quickly takes off his jacket before the band ploughs into ‘This House is a Circus’ and ‘Still Take You Home’.

The touring Arctics have become serial stadium rockers. They bring a sophisticated light show with them. There are also two powerful video columns either side of the stage so no one in the hall is left wondering whether drummer Matt Helders is sporting a new haircut or wearing a head band.   

‘My Propeller’ gets a massive cheer and is one of eight ‘Humbug’ songs featured on the night. The new material provides plenty of opportunities for guitarist Jamie Cook and bassist Nick O’Malley to shine. Although Turner does most of the talking and takes most of the spotlight, this is a band of equals.

It’s a joy to see 10,000 people reciting the words verbatim to hits like ‘I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor’, ‘The View from the Afternoon’ and ‘When the Sun Goes Down’. Alex sounds somewhat startled by the crowd’s ecstatic response, thanking them for their support, rather like a Wednesday fan in a room full of City supporters.

The night ends in triumph with the apocalyptic ‘505’, Turner leading his band mates off stage to unbridled rapturous applause.

Set List: Dance Little; Brianstorm; This House is a Circus; Still Take You Home; I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor; Potion Approaching; My Propeller; Crying Lightning; The View from the Afternoon; Cornerstone; If You Were There Beware; Pretty Visitors; The Jeweller’s Hands; Do Me a Favour; When the Sun Goes Down; Secret Door.

Encore: Fluorescent Adolescent – Mardy Bum - Fluorescent Adolescent; 505.

Postscript: A quick word of praise for Jesse Hughes, Dave Catching, Brian O’Connor and Joey Castillo. Collectively known as the Eagles of Death Metal, co-founder Josh Homme is the co-producer on ‘Humbug’, they deliver a cracking 45-minute support set of seventies-style, Spinal Tap riff-based rockers. Firmly more Silverhead and Tucky Buzzard than Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin with guitarist Hughes’ tongue-in-cheek lead breaks straight out of ‘Space Ritual’. Well worth a spin!  

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