Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Arctic Monkeys play to a sold out crowd at Madison Square Garden. Arctic Monkeys are a band that is very near and dear to my heart, so I find it hard to be objective when it comes to them. I've seen them live numerous times over the years at a variety of venues, and this was by far one of the best performances I've ever seen from them.
Arctic Monkeys have always had an interesting relationship with America. Back in 2006 when they first started touring they were the indie darlings and were selling out small venues across the country. After 2007 things died off a little and a fanbase of diehards remained. With the release of "AM" and the band finally coming into their own as a truly great live act, they've finally made a lasting impression in this country.
Selling out Madison Square Garden, a hugely famous NYC arena, shows that Arctic Monkeys have well and truly finally established themselves in America. Breaking America is hard to do for any British band, even one as talented as Arctic Monkeys. I've seen them struggle to fill a 3000 capacity venue here while selling out arenas back home in England. It's nice to see them finally achieving the success they deserve both in America and elsewhere.
While they played an electrifying set packed with hits including "Old Yellow Bricks", "Crying Lightning" and "R U Mine?", the highlight was when they opened their encore with a Beatles cover. Miles Kane had joined the band for "505" and came back out for this one as well. Alex Turner explained that since it was the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show which was also in New York City, that it was only fitting that they should play a Beatles cover.
Alex joked, "Apparently one in three Americans actually watched that performance, if we're lucky one or three Americans might watch this YouTube video."
Here's the video of their cover of "All My Loving." All in all, it was a great show put on by a band at the top of their game. If you haven't yet, you really should catch them live.
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Listen / [SOUNDCLOUD]
Arctic Monkeys have always had an interesting relationship with America. Back in 2006 when they first started touring they were the indie darlings and were selling out small venues across the country. After 2007 things died off a little and a fanbase of diehards remained. With the release of "AM" and the band finally coming into their own as a truly great live act, they've finally made a lasting impression in this country.
Selling out Madison Square Garden, a hugely famous NYC arena, shows that Arctic Monkeys have well and truly finally established themselves in America. Breaking America is hard to do for any British band, even one as talented as Arctic Monkeys. I've seen them struggle to fill a 3000 capacity venue here while selling out arenas back home in England. It's nice to see them finally achieving the success they deserve both in America and elsewhere.
While they played an electrifying set packed with hits including "Old Yellow Bricks", "Crying Lightning" and "R U Mine?", the highlight was when they opened their encore with a Beatles cover. Miles Kane had joined the band for "505" and came back out for this one as well. Alex Turner explained that since it was the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show which was also in New York City, that it was only fitting that they should play a Beatles cover.
Alex joked, "Apparently one in three Americans actually watched that performance, if we're lucky one or three Americans might watch this YouTube video."
Here's the video of their cover of "All My Loving." All in all, it was a great show put on by a band at the top of their game. If you haven't yet, you really should catch them live.
Follow / [FACEBOOK]
Listen / [SOUNDCLOUD]
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