Torpes in the UK: Arctic Monkeys + The Vaccines (2nd November 2011) Location: M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, UK

Thursday, 3 November 2011

Arctic Monkeys + The Vaccines (2nd November 2011)
Location: M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, UK

This could have been a night to remember but due to the fact that this show was going to be held on the M.E.N. Arena, I was deeply afraid and beware of the fact that the bad acoustic of this place would subdue the geniality of these bands. Well, I was right, the geniality was there but the bad acoustic didn’t let the bands go that extra mile.

The Vaccines

The Vaccines have several catchy and well written songs.

They gave a competent gig to warm up the crowd for the Arctic Monkeys. Songs like “Post Break-Up Sex” and “If You Wanna” were huge and it was a pity the sound wasn’t a little bit better.

The PA prepared for the Arctic Monkeys and not for The Vaccines, combined with the M.E.N. Arena characteristics didn’t do any good for their gig. Muffled sound with the singer’s voice lost amidst the guitar riffs. I need to see them on their own show and definitely in another venue.

The Vaccines - Post Break-up Sex (live MEN Arena, Manchester, 02-11-11)

Setlist

Intro (Rock'n Roll Radio)

Blow It Up

Post Break-Up Sex

Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)

A Lack of Understanding

Wetsuit

Under Your Thumb

Tiger Blood

All In White

Wolf Pack

If You Wanna

Nørgaard

The Vaccines website: http://www.thevaccines.co.uk/

The Vaccines facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thevaccines

The Vaccines myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thevaccines

Arctic Monkeys

Looking as a young and thin Elvis Presley, with a Grease-style hair-do, Alex Turner and his Arctic Monkeys rocked the house at the Manchester Evening News Arena.

The Sheffield band has indeed matured since their early days but as they entered the stage to Hot Chocolate’s “You Sexy Thing”, we all knew what we were going to get an evening of pure, rude and heavy indie-rock.

The first three songs came like a kick in the balls as they opened with “Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair”, “Teddy Picker” and “Crying Lightning”. Just a magnificent start. Total delivery on stage by the lads but such a pity this arena doesn’t deserve their effort. Awful acoustics as usual, but nevertheless, the Monkeys gave us a portentous gig.

Arctic Monkeys - Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair (live MEN Arena, Manchester, 02-11-11)

Arctic Monkeys - Teddy Picker (live MEN Arena, Manchester, 02-11-11)

The crowd gave the biggest cheers of the evening when they played “The View From The Afternoon” and “When The Sun Goes Down” – both tracks from their debut album, “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not”.

Arctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes Down (live MEN Arena, Manchester, 02-11-11)

After a small interlude in the middle of the set in which Turner was trying to determine which side of the arena was loudest, the Sheffield poets blasted out a few crowd favourites such as “I Bet That You Look Good On The Dance Floor” and the dark “Do Me A Favour”.

Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor (live MEN Arena, Manchester, 02-11-11)

For the encore, the Arctic Monkeys gave us the remarkable “Suck It And See", an amazing version of “Mardy Bum” and ended the show with an excellent rendition of “505”.

A very good set list, mixing old classics with the new songs, exquisite vocals from Alex and with full dedication on stage by the entire band. When the Arctic Monkeys take to the stage, there's nothing lazy or complacent about their act - they mean business! The Arctic Monkeys delivered an absolutely amazing performance, most likely the best live band in the UK at the moment.

With a 21-song set list, we definitely got value for our money, even with the gig being at the M.E.N. Arena… (Yeah, I think that by now everyone that reads my blog will know that I’m starting to hate this venue).