Concert Review: Arctic Monkeys 09.16.13 Webster Hall - New York City

Words by Cher Dunn | Photos by Nicole Mago

As the sun set over Webster Hall on September 16th, a lined formed outside for the sold-out Arctic Monkeys show. This was their first show back in the US after the release of their fifth consecutive number one album AM, and fans could not be more excited to hear the new music live. Tickets to the intimate gig sold out in what felt like seconds, and the number of fans on the sidewalk with scalped tickets seemed to be at an all time high.

While some had to go home heartbroken before the show even started, Arctic Monkeys fans with real tickets couldn’t hand them in fast enough as they ran up the stairs to find their place on the floor. The guys working merch stood guard, with mounds of t-shirts behind them ready for the mayhem of mega-fans trying to buy their new Arctic Monkeys wardrobe for the year.

NY natives Drowners opened the show, getting people in the groove, but those grueling minutes of set change between Drowners and Arctic Monkeys seemed to last forever for fans. Looking around at the sea of people, everyone couldn’t stop cheering but also seemed to be getting restless. I mean… the anticipation we all felt was almost too much. Then, the lights dimmed, Alex Turner walked out in a glittery coat, and we all knew-then more than ever- that we were in for something very special.

Arctic Monkeys played a killer set, a mixture of their albums including some old favorites “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor”, “Brianstorm”, “Teddy Picker”, and “Crying Lightning”; while smoothly segueing into new favorites like “R U Mine?”, “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”, “Knee Socks” and the particular favorite of the ladies in the audience, “Arabella”. The setlist was almost too perfect, ending gorgeously with an encore of “One for the Road”, “Florescent Adolescent”, and “505”.

The English rockers continue their US tour in Philadelphia tonight, for more tour dates and ticket information click here!