Arctic Monkeys
Cardiff International Arena
19th July, 2007

View: balcony, stage-left

Arenas require more than catchy, relatable pop songs, and without a big sound, back catalogue or the time to develop, four diminutive figures stood rigid throughout, almost fearful, as they huddled centre stage. The volatile crowd included over-eager louts who bounced off each other as they surged forward, but the band’s songs were more controlled. When The Sun Goes Down and I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor got a fervent response, as did Favourite Worst Nightmare’s Brianstorm. Fluorescent Adolescent, This House Is A Circus and D Is For Dangerous were meatier, groove-led affairs, retaining their punk credentials. Yet, beyond the hits, the songs are hard to distinguish, the sound of a band fast-tracked without proper grounding or development.

Reviewed by Darren Howells
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