Arctic Monkeys rock Ashton Gate in Bristol - review of ‘perfect set’

After a day of sun, cider and music, Ashton Gate was filled with anticipation as a packed-out crowd waited on the Arctic Monkeys to emerge for the start of their 2023 UK tour- yes, Bristol was well up for this one.

And as Thin Lizzy’s The Boys Are Back In Town sounded over the speaker system a ‘Hellloooooo Bristol!!!’ could suddenly be heard before the band launched straight into Mardy Bum - the first time they’d played it for 10 years.

Not bad to have that in your locker. 

That was a statement of intent as the band began firing on all cylinders. The crowd went nuts for Brianstorm and Snap out of it. All with every single word being sung by everyone around me.

Alex Turner, styled like a 70s star, then switched from Indie bangers Teddy Picker and Flourescent Adolescent to the softly-sung I Wanna Be Yours to my sister’s favourite 505 with such ease and nonchalance.

The show made me realise what a frontman Turner is and how impeccable his vocals were. The set ended for the first time with a mesmerising version of Body Paint from their latest album The Car.

The encore! There was one massive song they were still yet to play…the crowd erupted all around me with the classic yells of  ‘we want more!!’ .

And it felt like the stadium floor was about to explode when they played the biggest Indie banger ever I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor. Turner’s voice may well be impeccable but mine by this point was husky at best.

I felt like this was the perfect set - it had it all for me. I’ll look forward to more of the same at Glastonbury. What a night.