The Arctic Monkeys recently announced their 8-leg arena tour of the UK , a sensation that was added to by the recent promise of a new album ‘AM’. The circuit will take place in all major cities including the four-pieces finale at birthplace Sheffield, ‘the Steel City’ with which their persona is so firmly entwined.

The group has not appeared in England for 2 years, due to international commitments and time spent cultivating songs in the Joshua Tree based studio alongside Josh Homme, whom Lennon-look-alike Alex Turner shares an almost musically incestuous relationship with. The witty wordsmith could hardly contain his excitement at the prospect of collaborating with the familiar sneering, Stoneage frontman who produced their last album ‘Suck It And See’; “the 30 seconds that he’s in there is… like something that I’ve never heard before.”

Since The Arctic Monkey’s departure from their definitive Naughties image of hoodies, sweeping hair-cuts and regional gritty realism, their UK heritage, who hailed them as “a once in a lifetime band” (Tim Jonze, NME 2005) seems to have been left behind for the air-brushings of the USA. This may be one of the reasons why the festival-goers at Glastonbury were so enamored, having recently been named ‘most exciting band’ by a poll at the reputable booking site, ‘Gigwise’. Alex Turner told the BBC that ”Glastonbury is like this old wise wizard… it controls the tides of the rock ‘n roll universe” a reverence which clearly matches the crowds anticipation. These events herald the commencement of a very fruitful latter half of 2013 for the conquering hero’s, who have returned laden with gifts.

Dates

Newcastle Metro Radio Arena (October 22)

Manchester Arena (23)

London Earls Court Arena (25)

Liverpool Echo Arena (28)

Cardiff Motorpoint Arena (29)

Birmingham LG Arena (31)

Glasgow Hydro Arena (November 1)

Sheffield Motorpoint Arena (2)