For some, being expected to deliver on the ‘biggest day in Yorkshire’s musical history’ would bring its pressure but the Arctic Monkeys are a different breed.
That was the moniker given to the closing day of Leeds Festival 2022 by event boss Melvin Benn. This description came previewing Alex Turner’s band and Bring Me The Horizon, both from Sheffield, headlining Bramham Park’s two main stages.
The Arctics had last headlined in 2014 with this latest booking coming as their third bill-topping performance for Leeds Festival - and its sister event Reading Festival. Such is the status of the band, there was always going to be excitement in the air but glowing reports from their Saturday set down south hyped things that little bit further.
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As the saying goes, good things are worth waiting for and frontman Turner and his bandmates delivered a pulsating set which had all the trappings of a group of musicians so finely attuned to who they are and just exactly what they can do. From that very first drop in Do I Wanna Know?, of course met by a sea of camera phones recording, the crowd were treated to something rather special.
Arctic Monkeys, who released their generational-defining debut record back in 2006, took their fans on a tour across their six records. Those followers know each album tends to see the band change from genre sound and the activity of the crowd was fascinating at times - in reflection of this.
It was intriguing to see those ready to bounce getting their wish with Teddy Picker and Brianstorm, from My Favourite Worst Nightmare, to those who clearly favour a more reflective mindset, seen when Tranquillity Base Hotel + Casino’s offerings aired.
The ability of being able to be so different from record to record, and being so clearly reminded of that drive of the band during the Leeds Fest, just shows the quality and versatility we all know they possess.
For yours truly, that brash swagger associated with AM has a charm which is rather hard to resist so a set packed with tracks from that record was a real joy. If I Wanna Be Yours and I Want It All could have been squeezed in they would have provided the cherry on the cake - but that’s just being greedy.
In terms of new offerings, ahead of the Monkeys releasing their next album, The Car, in October. A hint of what to expect came via I Ain't Quite Where I Think I Am.
Will we really see a full album of disco-infused Arctics songs? Only time will tell.
Away from that, Turner and the lads delivered a greatest hits set and when you think songs like obvious crowd pleasers Mardy Bum and Fluorescent Adolescent were left out it shows the scale of the achievements from Yorkshire’s finest. Further, their confidence in doing things their way, as they always have.
Overall, given Benn’s lofty prediction Arctics Monkeys Leeds Festival 2022 headline set can only really be described as ‘Reyt Good’. That was certainly the overriding general consensus among the crowd on Sunday evening…said with proud Yorkshire accents.
Setlist
- Do I Wanna Know?
- Brianstorm
- Snap Out of It
- Crying Lightning
- Teddy Picker
- Potion Approaching
- The View From the Afternoon
- Cornerstone
- That's Where You're Wrong
- Pretty Visitors
- Tranquillity Base Hotel + Casino
- Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?
- I Ain't Quite Where I Think I Am
- Do Me a Favour
- From the Ritz to the Rubble
- I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
- Knee Socks
- 505
Encore
- One Point Perspective
- Arabella
- R U Mine?
You can catch up with all the highlights from Leeds Festival 2022 by visiting our live blog and if you’d like to share stories, photos and videos from your experience at Bramham, over the bank holiday weekend, you can visit our dedicated Leeds Festival Facebook group.
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