January 13, 2009 17:34

Arctic Monkeys debut new songs in New Zealand

Band debut tracks at 'first gig in over a year'

Photo Gallery: Arctic Monkeys
Photo: Dean Chalkley

Arctic Monkeys played four new songs in New Zealand last night (January 12) as they played their first gig in "over a year".

The Sheffield band played 'Dangerous Animals', 'Pretty Visitors', 'Go-Kart' - which frontman Alex Turner introduced as being called 'Would You Like Me To Build You A Go-Kart?' - and 'Crying Lightning' at Wellington Town Hall.

After opening with former B-side 'Da Frame 2R', Turner said: "Hello everyone, this is our first gig for about a year, so you might have to bear with us."

The Sheffield band have been recording with Queens Of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, and made the most of the pause in work on their third record to play the new songs.

Towards the end of the night, a cocktail-sipping Turner told the crowd he was playing a "new one with a Les Paul" before performing 'Go-Kart'.

Some of new material saw the band using a little toy piano and a slide guitar.

The set also included plenty of the band's favourites, plus a cover of Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds' 'Red Right Hand' in the encore.

Arctic Monkeys played:

'Da Frame 2R'
'This House Is A Circus'
'Still Take You Home'
'The View From The Afternoon'
'Dancing Shoes'
'Dangerous Animals'
'From The Ritz To The Rubble'
'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor'
'Pretty Visitors'
'Brianstorm'
'When The Sun Goes Down'
'Leave Before The Lights Come On'
'Go-Kart'
'Crying Lightning'
'Fluorescent Adolescent'
'Do Me A Favour'
'Red Right Hand'
'If You Were There, Beware'

The band are now due to play the Big Day Out Festival in New Zealand and Australia before continuing work on their third album.

Were you at the gig? What did you think of the new songs? Post your opinion below.