Arctic Monkeys bring ‘Humbug’ to Leeds Festival

Sheffield four-piece play stunning set despite minor technical setback

Arctic Monkeys played a stunning headline set on the Main Stage at the Leeds Festival tonight (August 28), showcasing songs from their new album ‘Humbug’.

Alex Turner and co played a warm-up show at London’s O2 Academy Brixton on Wednesday (August 25), making tonight’s gig at Bramham Park only their second show since new album ‘Humbug’ was released on Monday (August 24).

The band – joined by their recently-recruited live keyboard player and extra guitarist John Ashton (their former soundman) – played seven songs from ‘Humbug’, including their single ‘Crying Lightning’, and also dipped into their two previous albums.

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They performed anthems including Number One hit ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor’ and ‘Brianstorm’. But, unlike at their Brixton show, they also played chart-topper ‘When The Sun Goes Down’, which was greeted with huge cheers as thousands of fans sang every word.

Introducing the song, singer Turner said, “Bear with us, we haven’t played this one for a while,” before adding, “Nice chords”.

Earlier, the band were forced to briefly stop midway through ‘Brianstorm’ as the stage crew sorted a hitch before they got back on track. Turner also urged members of the crowd to “pick anyone up if they fall down”.

For new album track ‘Potion Approaching’, Turner sang without his guitar. As they rounded off their set, the singer told the huge crowd: “Thanks a lot everyone, I’ve had a terrific time with you.”

The band now head south to headline the Reading Festival tomorrow (August 29).

Arctic Monkeys played:

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‘My Propeller’
‘Red Right Hand’
‘Crying Lightning’
‘Brianstorm’
‘Still Take You Home’
‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor’
‘Potion Approaching’
‘Pretty Visitors’
‘This House Is A Circus’
‘If You Were There, Beware’
‘When The Sun Goes Down’
‘Dangerous Animals’
‘The View From The Afternoon’
‘Cornerstone’
‘Only Ones Who Know’
‘Do Me A Favour’
‘Fluorescent Adolescent’
‘Secret Door’
‘505’

NME.COM will be coming live from both the Reading And Leeds Festivals sites this weekend (August 28-30). Stay tuned to NME.COM/festivals for news reports, blogs, video interviews and photos from the event.

Get next Wednesday’s (September 2) issue of NME for the ultimate Reading And Leeds Festivals review.

Plus have your say on this summer – fill in the annual NME Festival survey now to cast your verdict on 2009, and tell festival chiefs who you want to see next year.

Watch Arctic Monkeys’ performance of ‘Crying Lightning’ live on the main stage at Reading Festival below:

Video courtesy of BBC.co.uk/readingandleeds

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