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The buzz around this Rock’n’Roll band has been steadily growing in France for the last 6 months, a bit longer in England, their country of origin...and tonight I have the strange feeling that something important is about to happen.
When you have missed, and for good reasons!!, The Beatles and The Clash live, you wouldn’t let the chance to see the birth of the next legend pass you by.
The Arctic Monkeys’ debut Lp ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not ’, is already essential to your record collection: In a time when major companies and authors try to convince us that the web is killing culture, these kids used that form of media and technology to get heard...and when it’s good, people like it.
We’ve witnessed a real ‘e-word of mouth’ phenomenon!
Apparently it’s still possible to sell records, hundred of thousands of them, if you are sincere and gifted. |
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Well! Were they as good on stage as we thought they would be?
Unfortunately, four days ago, they were playing live on France Inter radio, for one of legendary Dj Bernard Lenoir’ Black Sessions, and they seemed very disappointed by the audience. Apparently a bit too quiet for their liking!
Tonight’s show tickets were sold out a few hours after having been released, and when frontman Alex Turner and his band appear on stage, the packed out audience showed that Parisians can be hot and expressive.
The crowd is energetically, but kindly, pogoing and surfing during the show.
I must say that the Arctic Monkeys can make music that shakes you, whether you want it or not....
Singles ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor’ and ‘When The Sun Goes Down’ are really powerful, (you can’t help but yell with them!), and the groove on ‘Fake Tales...’ (‘Fake Tails’?? as written on the set list) or ‘Vampires’ also put a spell on you.
They sang a new and somewhat sweet number ‘Leave Before The Lights Come On’
However, tonight something precious is missing....the band is good, the audience too but there is a total lack of communication between the four Sheffield lads.
The show was intense, but we wanted more! What! No encore!
Maybe these Monkeys are now used to huge hysterical crowds. Tonight’s venue is intimate, which they should appreciate.
Maybe they have been celebrating for too long the previous night’s three N.M.E Awards they walked away with.
Alex looks really tired, drinking cider and beer.
Andy Nicholson tries not to smile, even when Alex encourages him to.
Jamie Cook looks very focused and fortunately, Matt Helders seems happy to be here.
So? As good as expected?
What can I say? They’re coming back to Paris in May and I’ll be there.
Words and pictures: Leo Poli
Arctic Monkeys website:
www.arcticmonkeys.com |
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