Arctic Monkeys were the Pyramid Stage's headline act on the first day of Glastonbury 2023. However, fans watching the set at home were left asking the same question about lead singer Alex Turner's voice.
There had been fears ahead of the performance that the band may have to cancel as Alex had acute laryngitis which forced them to pull out of their show in Marlay Park, Dublin, on Wednesday. Hours before they took to the stage Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis confirmed they would still play their headline slot.
Arriving on stage at 10.15pm, they opened their show with Sculptures Of Anything Goes, with Alex raising the mic stand above his head at one stage, before launching straight into an energetic rendition of Brianstorm.
Alex led the show in his classic suave style, donning a black suit and white open collar shirt paired with dark sunglasses. Addressing the crowd, he said: “Greetings Somerset” before striking up the chords of Snap Out Of It.
However many viewers watching on BBC were left asking the same question about Alex's accent - which had a slight American twang to it.
@cal239 wrote: "What is this voice Alex Turner is doing" while @MattChReport tweeted: "What is Alex Turner’s voice about?!"
@Ben_Cooksey was also confused and asked: "What’s actually up with Alex Turner’s voice, he’s gone all avant garde and baritone" while @1999_adam: "Didn't Alex Turner used to be from Sheffield? What happened to his voice?"
@Justice4Rasiak added: "Any idea why Alex Turner is speaking in an American accent?" while @victoriacarlin_ tweeted: "Alex Turner still has it, just wish he’d swerve the American accent."
Other viewers compared the singer's voice to another famous US performer. @Mettech_AV wrote: "#glastonbury2023 is it just me but Alex sounds nothing like the original lead singer he was, I loved he’s voice, been in the US too long, you’re from Sheffield keep to your roots you’re not Elvis" while @catterallwhite tweeted: "Just got in and put Glastonbury on... Alex Turner thinks he is Elvis reborn."
Alex Turner has previously addressed the accent change and he claims it's not intentional. After his 2013 Glastonbury set, he spoke to NME as he said: "I’ve been pointing my hands for ages though! Maybe it’s just the quiff that’s confusing people?
"Jo Whiley just said I was channelling my inner Elvis, but I dunno man. It’s not intentional!"
Friday night was the Sheffield band’s third time headlining the festival after topping the bill on 2007 and 2013.
The group are currently on a world tour with venues in Europe, the US, Canada and Mexico lined up across the next few months.
Earlier in the day American rockers Foo Fighters surprised the crowds with an unannounced performance. The band played a one-hour set which had initially been set aside for 'The Churnups'.
