Arctic Monkeys brought brought day two of Reading Festival to an epic close, ending their UK campaign for their huge album AM with a massive headline set tonight (Saturday 23 August, 2014).
Despite sound problems that left the vast majority of the audience underwhelmed by the volume (it was a bit like a fart in a bath), Alex Turner and co tore through a hit-packed and career-spanning set that fully justified why they're the biggest band in Britain.
With hair slicked back and decked out in now iconic leather jacket and dad jeans, Alex Turner led the Sheffield four-piece through a truly triumphant set that erupted the vast, vast audience in full voice throughout - often drowning out the sound of the band themselves.
Opening with the rumbling notes of 'R U Mine', the band wasted no time in quickly flowing into a volatile outing on 'Brianstorm', with the stadium-happy sing-alongs of 'Brianstorm' and 'Dancing Shoes' delighting the masses that stretched into the far reaches of the main arena.
Taking the time to comb his hair, Turner was every bit both the lounge lizard and rock God, holding Reading in the palm of his hand. If the monolithic response saved for 'Teddy Picker', 'Old Yellow Bricks', 'When The Sun Goes Down' and 'R U Mine' are anything to go by, then their set with homecounty Yorkshirefolk at Leeds Festival is going to be one for the history books.
Arctic Monkeys played:
Do I Wanna Know?
Brianstorm
Dancing Shoes (With "Money Maker" by The Black Keys snippet)
Arabella
Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair
Teddy Picker
Crying Lightning
Knee Socks (Extended outro)
My Propeller
I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
Library Pictures
Old Yellow Bricks
When the Sun Goes Down
No. 1 Party Anthem
Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?
Fluorescent Adolescent
I Wanna Be Yours (Extended outro)
Encore:
One for the Road
Snap Out of It
R U Mine? (Extended outro)