Arctic Monkeys at the Leadmill, Sheffield, 22nd April

There was a time where you could watch the Arctic Monkeys in peace. Stand, sing and shout as the band provide the electric energy onstage with their thrashing, thumping anthems playing out at maximum volume. However, tonight as the Leadmill fills to a dangerous capacity the chances of you returning from the toilet with your limbs fully intact are slim.

So as the band burst into ‘Brianstorm’ the crowd immediately become a collective of arms, legs and the occasional shoe as, fuelled by the pre gig alcohol they are determined to start a riot within minutes. As ‘Still Take You Home’ and ‘Dancing Shoes’ make a welcome appearance a man walks by looking a little dazed holding one shoe, while the remainder of the audience makes with tradition by singing every detail of each song back to the band onstage. As ‘Teddy Picker’ is introduced the guitar introduction is deafened through the crowd’s own interpretations of the song, despite tomorrow’s album release date.

Tonight the band are, however extremely relaxed onstage. Alex Turner’s usual sarcastic slant takes a backseat as he apologises to last night’s audience (“I was a little quiet”) before remaining tight lipped throughout the show, only making brief exceptions to reassure himself that the crowd are enjoying his company.

Why he needs confirmation though is unsure, as the lines “the house is a circus berserk as fuck” find their rightful place among the hundreds shouting “SHEFFIELD!” at the top of their lungs as another person is lifted above the crowd. Also the band, even on new material are note for note perfect. ‘Balaclava’ is an instant hit along with ‘Do Me A Favour’ as each band member stands duly performing their individual parts, only talking to one another if absolutely necessary.

As they launch into ‘Fake Tales of San Francisco’ it’s surreal to find a band that can produce such a powerful sound while simultaneously remaining so quiet onstage. Obviously the previous hits are still the highlights of the night, and as the band finish on ‘A Certain Romance’ the audience hang on to Turner’s every word, but also as the band disappear for their encore its revealed how dated the old songs already sound partnered with the new.

When the band re-emerge onstage for the unusual choice of the final track from Favourite Worst Nightmare, ‘505’ the song has the potential to be the beautiful ballad it is on record. However, this crowd already charged on thumping bass and hyperactive melodies are not prepared, and as another crowd surfer pushes out from the shadows there is a feeling this quiet moment is misunderstood.

However today, on the eve of the new album’s launch the Arctic Monkeys fanbase is as strong as ever. At midnight fans will queue around the block for a piece of Favourite Worst Nightmare and its unreal to believe tonight, as the band’s sound fills the small Leadmill ten times over, there was worry over their potential in front of a festival crowd. Judging by tonight, Glastonbury should be a walk in the park, at least for the band. The audience might not be quite so lucky.

Photos courtesy of Whoppers Website.