Arctic Monkeys: Now then Mardy Brum, we're sorry
It was the big fat northern elephant in the arena for much of the night.
Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner left it until the very end to apologise for the band's no-show at the LG Arena two weeks earlier.
"If we'd have known you could sing that well we wouldn't have cancelled in the first place," he quipped.
Hmmm. Thanks.
His embarrassed apology and his sheepish "it won't happen again" was met with a mix of boos and cheers from the crowd.
But it was pantomime really – all had been forgiven from the opening notes of Do I Wanna Know?
And Turner in particular put on a show.
Gone are the days of the floppy fringed tracksuit-wearing rabbit in the headlights of the band's early days.
Replacing it is a cool and confident lead singer, who has really grown into the role of frontman. Turner coolly posed and preened his way through the set, revealing impressive snake hips almost as slick as his teddy boy hairstyle. The set too was a reminder of just how much these Monkeys have achieved in the past seven years.
New album AM was represented with hits including closing track R U Mine?, Do I Wanna Know? and a dreamy rendition of I Wanna Be Yours complete with a huge explosion of silver ticker tape.
Obviously, old faves Mardy Bum, Fluorescent Adolescent and Brianstorm whipped the crowd into a frenzy. And, ahhh go on then, I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor.
Turner definitely does – even more so now he's got the rock star status nailed.
Remember when he used to be a rascal?
He still is.
By Catherine Dalton (@CDalton_Star)
