By Chris Riemenschneider
At their only previous gig in the Twin Cities, the Arctic Monkeys started out at about 90 mph and never really let up, resulting in a short but thoroughly satisfying local debut. The British quartet's return to First Avenue on Friday night was quite a different story, clocking in at 90 minutes and ebbing and flowing at more of a roller-coaster pace -- which almost as enjoyable.
One of the best parts of the show, in fact, came when the lads slowed things down quite a bit about three-quarters of the way through the set. Songs such as "Do Me a Favour" and one I predict could be their next big radio hit, "Secret Door," showed off a more melodic and Bowie-esque side to the band that was quite impressive. They opened the concert with a handful of the heavier, stoner-ish tracks from their new Josh Homme-produced album, "Humbug." The crowd was into it, but fans finally erupted six songs into it when the band turned to their more choppy, snarling older tunes, including THE HIT ("I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor"). Things especially got wild in the encore, starting with the punky reworking of Nick Cave's "Red Right Hand" and finishing with a hyper-singalong version of "505."
This was one crazy audience. It was the kind of sold-out First Ave show where a germaphobe like Howie Mandel would faint upon arrival, with constant elbow-rubbing and sweat dripping. Throw in a bunch of rowdy, burly soccer/football players and high-energy collegiate fans -- plus the band's punchy sound -- and I'm surprised a battle royale didn't break out on the dancefloor.
One thing that wasn't different about the Monkeys was their matching haircuts, with three of the four guys (not counting an added member on keyboards) growing their hair out to match their new album's hazy sound. The lone buzzcut-man out was drummer Matt Helders, who celebrated his 21st birthday at the previous First Ave show in 2007 and proved to be the band's most valuable player besides frontman Alex Turner, playing a spastic beat when he needed to and surprisingly funky parts at times. Here's their whole set list:
Dance Little Liar / Brianstorm / Crying Lightning / Potion Approaching / Pretty Visitors / This House Is a Circus / Still Take You Home / I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor / If You Were There, Beware / Sketchead / Dangerous Animals / View From the Afternoon / Cornerstone / Do Me a Favour / Secret Door / Flourescent Adolescent ENCORE: Red Right Hand / My Propellor / 505
After the Monkeys, I caught the last 20 minutes or so of buzzing Toronto trio Rural Alberta Advantage next door in the Entry. I walked in while camp-counselor-looking frontman Paul Banwatt was singing an emo-folk version of "Eye of the Tiger," which I figured was the finale (how do you follow Rocky's rock anthem?). The band's real finale, however, was spectacular, as all three members walked into the middle of the packed club marching-band-style and delivered the wintery gem "Good Night" with the audience hushed at first and singing along at the end. In between, the band's stripped-down but well-orchestrated organ/acoustic-guitar/drums sound and boy/girl vocals (think: unplugged Pixies) sounded great in other songs such as "Sleep All Day" and "Dethbridge in Leftbridge." I look forward to seeing a whole set.
