Arctic Monkeys / Hillsborough Park / Sheffield

Jun 13

Jun 13 Arctic Monkeys / Hillsborough Park / Sheffield

There was definitely something big happening in Sheffield tonight. A blisteringly hot day, a crammed train from Nottingham to the city, and then crowbarred into the tram for a very uncomfortable sweaty 30min ride up to Hillsborough Park. At each stop the doors would open, expectant travels would look on, as those on the tram glumly shook their heads before the doors closed and we set off again.

This was a weekend the city had been looking forward to for a long time, as it’s 20 years since the Arctic Monkeys played their first ever gig in an upstairs room at a local pub, The Grapes. Tonight, they were headlining in the city for the first time since 2018, at Hillsborough Park in the first of two back-to-back shows to an expected crowd of near on 40,000 each night.

Fans were in early, for a great support bill, enjoying the sun, refreshments and entertainment.

First up on the huge stage were Liverpudlian trio The Mysterines. The alt-rockers have built an impressive following with their reputation for great live performances. Tonight they were on form with a high energy set built around singer Lia Metcalfe’s crisp vocals. The set included an outing for latest single Begin Again. A great start to the night.

Set List

The Last Dance

Hung Up

Dangerous

On the Run

Reeling

Begin Again

All These Things

Life's A Bitch (But I Like It So Much)

Next up, we had a real treat, and a band who could have headlined tonight no problem at all as Sweden’s The Hives took the stage, in their eye catching, snazzy suits. They opened the set with Bogus Operandi and set a high bar in this heat with a very energetic set. Singer Pelle Almqvist sporting a nice scar on his forehead from catching his head in Manchester with a swinging mic, was in outstanding form.

After the opening number, he addressed the crowd and joked about coming home, and being Sheffield’s 7th best known band, and how wonderful it was to be home. At every opportunity he got the crowd involved with chants of “Yorkshire, Yorkshire”. (In fact a major steel firm that owns a site in Sheffield is located close to their home town Fagersta!) At points through the set, he asked the crowd if they were now their favourite band. A master of his art, the Swedish rockers went down a storm with the crowd.

Pelle is down in the pit, weaving between us photographers and walking the barrier, interacting with every fan he can. He wasn’t the only one, Nicholaus Arson on guitar built up a sweat with his energetic performance.

Of course their anthem-like hits Hate to Say I Told You So and Walk Idiot Walk were included and has the huge crowd singing along.

Full of punk edgy and energy, The Hives are a real delight live, and are heading to the Rescue Rooms on 22 June for a Rough Trade intimate show. One not to miss.

Set List

Bogus Operandi

Main Offender

Walk Idiot Walk

Tick Tick Boom

Come On!

Hate to Say I Told You So

Rigor Mortis Radio

Good Samaritan

Walking down to the pit, ready for the Arctic Monkeys, the promoters rep tells me the place is a sell, out, and the same is expected tomorrow, a truly amazing achievement. Hillsborough Park is absolutely buzzing, and the crowd are singing along to the audio feed waiting for the hometown heroes to come out. The sun is setting behind the crowd….. it’s a magical scene.

And first off, they delight the crowd as they launch into A Certain ratio from the 2006 album “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not”, the first time it’s been played live since about 2013, and immediately the crowd are going wild.

Alex Turner (vocals & guitar), Jamie Cook (guitar), Matt Helders (drums), and Nick O’Malley (bass) were on it – tight and connected, the performance was flawless, with crisp riffs and thumping bass. In the setting light, the flares were being held aloft as the crowd sang along as one.

I was a little surprised as I expected there might be more emphasis on the newer material from their brilliant latest album “The Car” released in 2022. Only three tracks made the set list in Sculptures of Anything Goes, There'd Better Be a Mirrorball, and the main set ended with the excellent Body Paint. I was a little disappointed that The Car didn’t make the set list, my favourite track from the new album, but ultimately the night was packed with the classics, and that’s what the eager crowd really wanted, especially in the three song encore which delivered in bucketloads with I Wanna Be Yours and R U Mine? It’s crazy how popular they are, as I Wanna Be Your has almost 1.2 BILLION streams on Spotify alone !

With just three nights left in Southampton (14/06 The Ageas Bowl) and London (16&17/06 Emirates Stadium some tickets still available HERE, then they’re off to headline this years Glastonbury.

What a night. Musically, all three bands were outstanding tonight and delivered a nice, balanced mix. The organisation was really good, and a herculean effort when you consider the road closures in the areas, changes to tram schedule and impact on the city. The city of Sheffield can rightly be proud of their Monkeys, and they should be equally proud of this proud city !

Set List

A Certain Romance

Brianstorm

Snap Out of It

Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair

Crying Lightning

Teddy Picker

Four Out of Five

Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?

Arabella

Sculptures of Anything Goes

Cornerstone