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Arctic Monkeys Debut 'Humbug' at Reading and Leeds

Arctic Monkeys made a triumphant return to the UK festival circuit this weekend with confident, assured shows at Reading and Leeds, performing a clutch of songs from their just-released third album, 'Humbug.'

Kicking off their Reading set with the sultry 'Humbug' opener, 'My Propeller', a cover of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' 'Red Right Hand' and new single 'Crying Lightning', Arctic Monkeys' new mission was clear -- they're back, with a new, darker and heavier direction.

Co-produced by Josh Homme, who earlier had played his own, surprise set with new supergroup, Them Crooked Vultures, the new album's songs sparked a muscular confidence in the Monkeys' performance. Singer Alex Turner eschewed his guitar on several numbers, becoming a more commanding frontman than ever before.

The set was peppered with crowd favourites from their debut, 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not,' in particular, 'I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor,' 'Still Take You Home' and 'When the Sun Goes Down,' but the moodier new songs kept on coming. Older numbers were given new treatments, including 'This House Is a Circus,' which was given an eerie, drawn out instrumental before climaxing in a thrashing finale.

"We're going to leave you, Reading. I'm going to be brusque. It's better that way," joked Turner, before launching into the crowd-pleaser 'Fluorescent Adolescent.' A wistful, two-song encore followed with new songs 'Secret Door' and '505' before the band left the stage one by one. "Thanks for having us, Reading. Enjoy the rest of your festival -- you've been an exceptional bunch." The Arctic Monkeys' live return to the UK is proving they're not too bad themselves.


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    Thom Yorke of Radiohead performs live on the main stage during the third and final day of Reading Festival on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. Reading Music Festival 2009 - Day 3 Reading, England United Kingdom August 30, 2009 Photo by Simone Joyner/WireImage.com To license this image (58208265), contact WireImage.com

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    Thom Yorke of Radiohead performs live on the main stage during the third and final day of Reading Festival on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. Reading Music Festival 2009 - Day 3 Reading, England United Kingdom August 30, 2009 Photo by Simone Joyner/WireImage.com To license this image (58208240), contact WireImage.com

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    Thom Yorke of Radiohead performs live on the main stage during the third and final day of Reading Festival on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. Reading Music Festival 2009 - Day 3 Reading, England United Kingdom August 30, 2009 Photo by Simone Joyner/WireImage.com To license this image (58208203), contact WireImage.com

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    Karen O of New York based alternative rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs performs live on the main stage during the third and final day of Reading Festival on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. Reading Music Festival 2009 - Day 3 Reading, England United Kingdom August 30, 2009 Photo by Simone Joyner/WireImage.com To license this image (58207708), contact WireImage.com

    Simone Joyner/WireImage.com

    Karen O of New York based alternative rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs performs live on the main stage during the third and final day of Reading Festival on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. Reading Music Festival 2009 - Day 3 Reading, England United Kingdom August 30, 2009 Photo by Simone Joyner/WireImage.com To license this image (58207701), contact WireImage.com

    Simone Joyner/WireImage.com

    Karen O of New York based alternative rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs performs live on the main stage during the third and final day of Reading Festival on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. Reading Music Festival 2009 - Day 3 Reading, England United Kingdom August 30, 2009 Photo by Simone Joyner/WireImage.com To license this image (58207693), contact WireImage.com

    Simone Joyner/WireImage.com

    Karen O of New York based alternative rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs performs live on the main stage during the third and final day of Reading Festival on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. Reading Music Festival 2009 - Day 3 Reading, England United Kingdom August 30, 2009 Photo by Simone Joyner/WireImage.com To license this image (58207208), contact WireImage.com

    Simone Joyner/WireImage.com

    Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend performs live on the main stage during the third and final day of Reading Festival on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. Reading Music Festival 2009 - Day 3 Reading, England United Kingdom August 30, 2009 Photo by Simone Joyner/WireImage.com To license this image (58207764), contact WireImage.com

    Simone Joyner/WireImage.com

    READING, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Thom Yorke of Radiohead performs on stage on Day 3 of Reading Festival 2009 on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. (Photo by Andy Sheppard/Redferns) *** Local Caption *** Thom Yorke

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    READING, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Thom Yorke of Radiohead performs on stage on Day 3 of Reading Festival 2009 on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. (Photo by Andy Sheppard/Redferns) *** Local Caption *** Thom Yorke

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James

Hyena doesn't get it. The Arctics aren't the type of band to jump around on stage. They play breathtaking music and that's all that matters.

January 13 2010 at 1:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Hyena

I think you must have been watching a different band to me. The Arctic Monkeys I saw looked bored and uninterested and made little attempt to engage the audience, who would have been more than up for a dance at the end of a dull day of bands. I love this band and wanted them to justify there headling slot. They didn't for me.

August 30 2009 at 9:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
James

Absolutely amazing performance. Stunning.

August 30 2009 at 10:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply