Watch Arctic Monkeys deliver flawless The Strokes cover at New York show

Arctic Monkeys covered The Strokes last night (July 24) as they began their latest US tour.

The Sheffield band performed at New York’s Forest Hills Stadium, where they were supported by LA’s Mini Mansions.

During their encore, frontman Alex Turner referenced the venue’s history as an early home of the US Open, saying: “We wanted to do a New York special for you and since we couldn’t think of any tennis songs…” The band then played ‘Is This It’ by The Strokes. Watch footage of the performance below.

Arctic Monkeys covered The Strokes in NY tonight and it was ??? pic.twitter.com/dtzkxGuA4z

— Rhian Daly (@rhian__) July 25, 2018

Fans had speculated over whether the band would perform the track during their set after footage of them playing the song during their soundcheck had emerged earlier in the day. The cover appeared in the set one song after ‘Star Treatment’, which begins with Turner singing: “I just wanted to be one of The Strokes/Now look at the mess you made me make.”

IS THIS IT (cr: camilariso) pic.twitter.com/fX8AK9JHFQ

— Arctic Monkeys Japan (@ArcticMonkeysJP) July 24, 2018

The show was also the first public appearance from Turner since he debuted his newly shaved head on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert earlier this week (July 23). The band performed ‘The Ultracheese’, the closing track of new album ‘Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino’,  on the show.

Meanwhile, Arctic Monkeys revealed the video for the title track of their sixth record earlier this week. The clip sees Turner in a fictitious hotel, complete with sauna and ranch, and answering the phone as Mark, the receptionist he sings off in the lines: “Good afternoon/ Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino/ Mark speaking/ Please tell me how may I direct your call?“

Arctic Monkeys’ US tour will continue today in Canandaigua, NY. Their next UK appearances will come in September with a headline arena tour. Visit here for tickets and more information.