In what had to be one of the most anticipated live shows to come through town in recent months, Arctic Monkeys needed to do little more than show up and strap on their guitars to get everyone in the room ecstatic. The band came to the stage with a track from Dre and Snoop thumping over the sound system (“The Next Episode” if I’m not mistaken) and drove right into their set with abandon. These youngsters have one thing in mind and that is the music and with genuine punk swagger and confidence they did no wrong.
A few songs in to the set two or three members of the audience tried to get things moving a bit more than most others wanted and one guy ended up being tackled to the floor. At least it appeared that way to my eye. All in all the energy was great and outside of some guy heckling something or other about “being too young to be that cool, you’re only 19!” everyone seemed to be having a great time. Perhaps Arctic Monkeys don’t have much to say between songs, but quite frankly, I, for one, am only interested in one thing from these guys and that is the music. And on this night Arctic Monkeys shined.
Also on the bill for the night, The Tyde and Army Navy both delivered tight and entertaining sets.
After the show I joined a few of my new friends for a bite over at Fred 62 in Los Feliz and rode the buzz of the Arctic Monkeys well into the wee hours. Fantastic night this one. Look for the record in early 2006.
Peace.
