Last week, on Wednesday 12th September, I went to see Arctic Monkeys at the 02 arena in London with my boyfriend after really wanting to see them for years. Arctic Monkeys have been one of my favourite bands for a few years now and it was amazing to finally get to see them in concert whilst they're touring for their newest album, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.
The journey from Margate to the 02 was thankfully pretty quick and stress free, and we made it to the arena at about 4;30 with the doors opening at 6, so we had plenty of time to walk around the 02 and get to the correct waiting area. At 5 o'clock we made our way to get our tickets scanned and bags searched (just the usual protocols) before going into the level 4 waiting area, which is all the way up at the top of the seated area; we could also hear the band doing a soundcheck on stage when we were in the waiting area, which was pretty cool. When the doors to the concert eventually opened, me and Jack made out way to our seats and waited not very patiently for the gig to start. The supporting band, The Lemon Twigs, sounded alright although I think the singer may have been drunk as in between songs he kept talking about the pope and a golden retriever, unless he was trying to tell a very bad joke that no one understood. After 3 hours of waiting in the arena, Arctic Monkeys finally came on stage at 9 o'clock and it was just incredible. After nearly 2 hours of jumping, screaming an Arctic Monkeys songs, their 21 song long set finished and it was time to leave London and get back on the long train journey home.
For any of you AM fans that may be interested in how the concert was, what songs they played etc. here is the full set list for the night I saw them at the 02.
1. Star Treatment
2. Brianstorm
3. Snap Out of It
4. Crying Lightning
5. Teddy Picker
6. 505
7. Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
8. Do Me A Favour
9. Don't Sit Down 'Cause I Moved Your Chair
10. The View From The Afternoon
11. One Point Perspective
12. Cornerstone
13. Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?
14. Knee Socks
15. Science Fiction
16. Do I Wanna Know?
17. Pretty Visitors
18. Four Out of Five
Encore;
19. I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
20. Arabella
21. R U Mine?
(I love how we both look so unimpressed in this mid-concert selfie we took)
I must say that the merch stand wasn't great; most of the t shirts were plain and simple, but I really liked the hotel inspired keyrings and enamel pin, and it was definitely the first time I had ever seen socks for sale at a gig. I purchased for myself a AM enamel pin which I actually really love and put on my jacket as soon as I bought it, although I kind of wish I had bought those Arctic Monkeys socks.
Overall the night was amazing, the journey was easy, the band sounded incredible and I got to hear so many song's I've been dying to hear them play for years! I am kind disappointed that they didn't play Fluorescent Adolescent and Mardy Bum, which are two of my favourites, but I did get to hear them play Do I Wanna Know? and 505. I would love to see them again in the future so I can hear them play more songs and maybe next time get a standing ticket so I can get closer to the stage and spend all night moshing and dancing.
Have you ever seen Arctic Monkeys in concert? Or what was the best band you have seen live? Leave me some comments below for me to read. Thank you so much for checking out this blog post.
India X