“The Monkeys Return to the Farm!” exclaims Alex Turner. Just a day ago, it seemed uncertain whether the Arctic Monkeys would be able to headline Friday night at Glastonbury due to Turner’s laryngitis. Speculations arose that the Foo Fighters would take their place. However, Turner surprised everyone with his remarkably good voice. He not only sounds great, but also looks the part with his silver chain and confident stage presence.
The Arctic Monkeys are an intriguing band. On one hand, they are arguably the biggest alt-rock band in Britain, consistently appearing on the charts despite the decline in popularity of the genre. However, their albums’ success varies. Their debut album, “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not,” released in 2006, and “AM,” released in 2013, achieved immense sales, comparable to best-of albums by iconic bands like Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, or Oasis. Yet, their more recent albums, such as “Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino” and “The Car,” have not received the same level of commercial success. This shift in popularity may indicate a deliberate move by the band to distance themselves from their rowdier fanbase, a transformation reflected in their evolving sound.
The unevenness of their headlining set at Glastonbury is apparent. The crowd’s response to songs from their latest albums is lukewarm, while the energy picks up when they perform tracks from “AM.” The Arctic Monkeys have certainly displayed their growth and versatility over the past decade. Despite initially being hyped by the NME as a fully-formed band, they have proven to be more interesting and talented than expected. Their ability to seamlessly incorporate heavy-rock influences in songs like “How Come You Only Call Me When You’re High?” and showcase their songwriting prowess in tracks like “Cornerstone” and “Fluorescent Adolescent” is commendable.
However, there are moments during the set when the audience loses interest. Glastonbury offers numerous distractions and activities, making it challenging for any artist to maintain the crowd’s attention throughout their performance. Additionally, Alex Turner’s onstage persona as a deliberately affected lounge crooner, complete with sarcastic “thank you’s,” may not resonate with every listener.
The set’s pacing is peculiar. The euphoria elicited by songs like “Mardy Bum” is dampened by slower tracks like “There’d Better Be a Mirrorball” and the lengthy closure of “Body Paint.” The inclusion of John Cooper Clarke’s “I Wanna Be Yours” as an encore, despite its popularity on TikTok, may not have been the most energetic choice. However, the mood is revived with crowd favorites like “I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor” and “R U Mine?” Overall, the Arctic Monkeys’ set feels like they are following their own artistic vision rather than trying to create the “Glastonbury moment” that everyone expects at such a renowned festival. This simultaneously evokes admiration and a sense of underwhelming for a headlining performance.
As the show comes to an end, Turner reassures the audience, “You’ll be alright.”
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