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Post by Fuggle on Feb 13, 2007 17:23:28 GMT -5
Arctic Monkeys To Snub The BritsBy: Scott Colothan on 2/9/2007Arctic Monkeys have snubbed the Brit awards, instead choosing to film the video for their new single. The Sheffield lads are up for the Best Album and Best Group awards at the Valentine’s Day ceremony, but they say they are going to focus on finishing the promo for ‘Brainstorm.’ Drummer Matt Helders told BBC6music: "We're filming the video that day, so we're not going to be anywhere near it. We haven't snubbed it, we're just busy boys getting ready to go on tour again." Speaking about their new album ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’, Helders went on to explain that the band found the recording process easy and they weren’t blighted by ‘difficult second album’ syndrome. He continued: "It never really seemed like we were having to make ourselves sit down and write anything. I don't think it was much of a challenge to be honest." ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ is released on April 23 and will be preceded by ‘Brainstorm’ a week earlier.
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Post by Fuggle on Feb 13, 2007 17:26:32 GMT -5
Arctic Monkeys preview Favourite Worst Nightmare at secret hometown showArctic Monkeys played a secret show in Sheffield at the weekend, previewing material from their forthcoming second LP, Favourite Worst Nightmare. I've read that title going on a hundred times now. Still rubbish. Fan site Mardy-Bum.com reports that the band took to the Leadmill stage on Saturday (February 10) just an hour after an announcement was made that they'd be performing. The band's setlist was as follows: 'This House Is A Circus' 'Balaclava' 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' 'Still Take You Home' 'Dancing Shoes' 'D Is For Dangerous' 'When The Sun Goes Down' 'From The Ritz To The Rubble' 'Fluorescent Adolescent' 'Do Me A Favour' 'View From The Afternoon' 'Brianstorm' 'Leave Before The Lights Come On' 'What If You Were Right?' 'A Certain Romance'A selection of fairly dodgy film clips from the show can be seen here. Arctic Monkeys release Favourite Worst Nightmare on April 23, preceded by the single 'Brianstorm'. This, we previously reported here, so head there for an album tracklisting.
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Post by Fuggle on Feb 17, 2007 17:07:02 GMT -5
Official: Arctic Monkeys Biggest Selling Independent Artist13 February 2007Arctic Monkeys have been crowned as having the music successful independent album of 2006. Figure released yesterday showed that the Monkeys, signed to Domino Records, shifted 900,000 copies of 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.' Although the triple platinum album was beaten in overall sales by Snow Patrol's 'Eyes Open', Gary Lightbody and co. are signed to a major. In all 2006 saw somewhat of a renaissance for independent labels. Almost a third of all gold albums (100,000 sales and more) were by artists signed to 'indie' labels. More than two-thirds of silver albums - those that sold 60,000 or more - were by independent artists. The Association of Independent Music sites that 2006 was the best in six years for indie music.
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Post by Fuggle on Feb 17, 2007 17:10:07 GMT -5
Arctic Monkeys, Band of Horses lead Plug Award winners
February 12, 2007 by Tjames Madison LiveDaily Contributor
Arctic Monkeys and Band of Horses were among the big winners at this year's Plug Independent Music Awards show, held Saturday (2/10) in New York City. The British indie-pop Monkeys walked away with the award for New Artist of the Year, continuing the surge that followed the release of the band's 2006 debut album, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not."
Band of Horses accepted Album of the Year honors for "Everything All the Time," which also picked up Song of the Year for "The Funeral" as well as the award for Americana Album of the Year.
Neko Case, whose most recent album was last year's "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood," was honored as Female Artist of the Year, and Sufjan Stevens won Male Artist of the Year.
The complete list of Plug Award winners is available at the event's website.
The awards show was hosted by comedian David Cross, who introduced a roster of live acts that included Tokyo Police Club, Deerhoof, El-P, Silversun Pickups, and Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, according a press release.
Malkmus accepted the Plug Impact Award for "his contribution to independent music through his prolific career in Pavement, Silver Jews and his solo work."
Rounding out some of the other main award categories, Yo La Tengo accepted the award for Indie Rock Album of the Year for the band's most recent set, "I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass," while Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke nabbed the prize for Electronic/Dance Album of the Year for "The Eraser."
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Post by Fuggle on Feb 17, 2007 17:16:00 GMT -5
Arctic Monkeys To Play Another Last Minute Show (Updated)Published Tuesday, 13th February, 2007Arctic Monkeys have revealed they will be playing a low-key show tonight (February 13th) in Leicester. The news comes just days after the band treated Sheffield fans to a surprise performance at the Leadmill over the weekend. Arctic Monkeys will be playing at the University and tickets are only available from the venue as of mid-day. ** Since we posted this news article, we found out the The Little Flames would be opening up for the band as the support.
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Post by Fuggle on Feb 27, 2007 16:19:03 GMT -5
Arctic Monkeys: New Album
Arctic Monkeys announced that their new album entitled "Favourite Worst Nightmare", will be released in Australia on Saturday April 21. Arctic Monkeys will unveil their new material during an April 27 set at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in LA, and have also begun confirming European festival appearances for the northern summer.
Arctic Monkeys are a four-piece indie rock band originating from High Green, a suburb of Sheffield. Formed in 2002, the band currently consists of Alex Turner on lead vocals and guitar, Jamie Cook on guitar, Matt Helders on drums and backing vocals and Nick O'Malley on bass guitar, a position formerly held by Andy Nicholson.
Arctic Monkeys achieved chart success with their first two singles, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and "When the Sun Goes Down", reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart. Their debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not became the fastest-selling debut album in British music history and received critical acclaim, winning the 2006 Mercury Prize.
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Post by Fuggle on Feb 27, 2007 16:24:15 GMT -5
Arctic Monkeys for T in the ParkSun Feb 25 2007Brit Award winners Arctic Monkeys will headline the main stage alongside The Killers and Snow Patrol at Balado, near Kinross, in Perthshire from July 6 to 8One of the UK's biggest music festivals will now become a three-day event. Brit Award winners Arctic Monkeys will headline the main stage alongside The Killers and Snow Patrol at Balado, near Kinross, in Perthshire from July 6 to 8. Other acts set to appear include Lily Allen, The Coral and Bloc Party. Glasgow ensemble The Fratellis will also entertain the crowd along with another Scots favourite, Paulo Nutini. In total 35,000 tickets for the July event have already been sold, and another 40,000 will go on sale this Saturday. In a bid to cut down on touting, festival organiser Geoff Ellis said ticket purchases would again be limited to two per person. He added that it was hoped licensing would allow organisers to extend the festival site and up to 5,000 additional tickets may be available at a later date.
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Post by Fuggle on Feb 27, 2007 16:26:59 GMT -5
Arctic Monkeys play another secret showMonday, 26 Feb 2007Arctic Monkeys were named as best British band at the BritsArctic Monkeys are to play yet another secret surprise show tomorrow. The low key gig will take place at Middlesbrough town hall at 19:00 GMT and follows in the footsteps of similar concerts in Sheffield, Morecombe and Leicester during the last few weeks. Those keen to get their hands on some tickets had better be pretty quick about it though as they will go on sale at midday tomorrow. And forget trying to call; only people turning up in person at the venue with cash will be able to buy tickets – which are limited to two per person. The Sheffield outfit are on a bit of a roll at the moment; this summer they are headlining Scotland's T in the Park as well as the legendary Glastonbury festival. Earlier this month they were named as best British group at the Brit awards as well as taking home a Brit for best British album for Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm Not.
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Post by Fuggle on Feb 27, 2007 16:29:12 GMT -5
Arctic Monkeys New Secret Show AnnouncedPublished Monday, 26th February, 2007Another week and another secret last-minute show for Arctic Monkeys, with the band set to hit Middlesbrough tomorrow night (that's Tuesday February 27th). The Sheffield band will be taking to the Town Hall stage at 7pm and if you want to attend you better be quick - tickets go on sale at mid-day tomorrow lunch-time and can only be bought from the venue's box office in cash. Tickets are also limited to just two per person and only available to those aged 18 or over. The gig is the latest in a series of spontaneous shows for Arctic Monkeys, who recently played in Morecambe, Leicester and Sheffield.
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Post by Fuggle on Feb 27, 2007 16:32:31 GMT -5
Bands cut it at collegeBy Telegraph newsdeskMedia student Danielle Yuste meets Roddy, lead singer of Scottish guitar band Idlewild at Blackburn CollegeSOME of the country's top bands including the Arctic Monkeys and Idlewild have been quietly heading to Blackburn College to record their future hits. And college students have been helping them head for chart success. Blackburn College has launched a new media centre to train up its students in recording techniques, photography and graphic design. Scottish rockers Idlewild were at the college last week, indie favourites the Arctic Monkeys dropped in earlier this year and former Ash singer and guitarist Charlotte Hatherley is set to visit next month. The scheme allows bands to record their music, make videos and DVDs, and have press shots taken - all for a fraction of the price other recording studios would charge. It costs £500 for the entire package, which also includes graphic desgns on album covers for bands on a record label.
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Post by Fuggle on Mar 13, 2007 17:01:32 GMT -5
Arctic Monkeys line up North American dates
They'll stick around after Coachella12.Mar.07Arctic Monkeys The Harley, Sheffield 070305 Arctic Monkeys have announced a US and Canadian tour to follow their appearance at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in April. The Sheffield four-piece will hit the road with Nashville rockers Be Your Own Pet for several shows, kicking off their headlining shows on May 1 in San Francisco. Having recently won the NME Shockwaves Award for Best British Album for their debut 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not', the band are set to release the follow-up entitled 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' on April 23. They will play: Indio, CA Coachella (April 27) San Francisco, CA Warfield Theatre (May 1) Portland, OR Roseland Theatre (2) Seattle, WA Showbox (3) Vancouver, British Columbia Commodore Ballroom (4) Minneapolis, MN First Avenue (7) Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre (8) Pontiac, MI Clutch Cargo's (9) Toronto, Ontario Kool Haus (11) Montreal, Quebec L'Olympia (12) Boston, MA Avalon (13) New York, NY Hammerstein Ballroom (15) Washington, DC 9:30 Club (16) Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory (17) Atlanta, GA The Tabernacle (19) Orlando, FL Hard Rock Live (20)
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Post by Fuggle on Mar 23, 2007 11:18:02 GMT -5
Arctic Monkeys fans react to new video NME.COM users give their verdict on 'Brianstorm' clip17.Mar.07Arctic Monkeys fans have given a mixed reaction to the band's new single 'Brianstorm' and its accompanying video. The single, named track of the week in the current issue of NME, is the Sheffield four-piece's first from their forthcoming second album 'Favourite Worst Nightmare', has been greeted warmly by some fans, while others expressed their disappointment with the new material. One fan posted: "It's a slightly faster song than some of their previous stuff, similar to 'The View From The Afternoon'. But it is a step forward, and a good step at that." Another listener gave the single the thumbs up and argued that the band were moving forward. He added: "It's not that bad at all. It slightly reminded me of Muse when they tried to go funky." But others slammed the single and compared it with fellow Sheffield pals Milburn. "What a shit new song and even worse video!," wrote one disgruntled fan. "I thought it wouldn't be good but that is just complete dross. It sounds like fucking Milburn." Some fans seem to be in two minds about the track, with one posting: "I think it's OK, got a nice groove." In the main though, the positive responses of NME.COM users outweighed the negative reactions. To make up your own mind, go to the band's NME.COM artist page, launch the media player and watch the new video. Meanwhile, the band are hitting the road for a new UK tour ahead of the release of their second album on April 23. They will play:
Southampton Guildhall (April 9) Exeter University Great Hall (10) London Astoria (12, 13) Liverpool Academy (14) Newcastle Academy (16) Dundee Caird Hall (17) Glasgow Barrowlands (18) Birmingham Academy (20) Sheffield The Leadmill (21, 22)Tickets are being sold via the band's mailing list to reward loyal fans. Those on the mailing list will be asked to register for one venue and successful applicants will be emailed with a personal PIN number (which will only work once) on March 16 and have until the following Monday (19) to buy their tickets. To find out more about Arctic Monkeys live return, get this week's issue of NME on UK newsstands now, for an exclusive report straight from inside the secret tour the band staged earlier in the month.
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Post by Fuggle on Mar 23, 2007 11:20:21 GMT -5
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Post by Fuggle on Apr 10, 2007 14:54:39 GMT -5
Caught Live: Arctic Monkeys
April 10, 2007 Arctic Monkeys@ Guildhall, Southampton
THE only flighty thing about the opening gig of the Arctic Monkeys’ homecoming tour was the brief burst of orchestra strings they entered the stage to.
There were no fancy sets and no costume changes last night ... and still no encore.
The lads — touring new album Favourite Worst Nightmare — kicked off their return at Southampton’s Guildhall, promising more of the same — only bigger and better.
Frontman Alex Turner is more confident, his voice is stronger and there’s more banter with the crowd. And with some of the new album’s epic tracks adding to the fun and frolics of their first release, they are the real deal.
After a rip-roaring opening, Alex was worried that not everyone was getting involved.
“It seems like there’s a bit of a cut-off point ten yards back,” he told the crowd. “Some of you lot need to chill the **** out!”
Then the band tore into From The Ritz To The Rubble and everyone started dancing.
Do Me A Favour from the new album sounded like it could fill a venue ten times the size.
And when Mardy Bum came on, the venue truly lit up. Mobile phones may have replaced lighters these days, but the image remains the same.
Sheffield’s finest wrapped up with A Certain Romance and even managed a bit of banter as they left the stage.
Alex joked dryly that some of the crowd were “clapping too seriously”.
The Arctic Monkeys. Bigger, better and even warmer than before. No strings attached.
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Post by Fuggle on Apr 10, 2007 14:57:01 GMT -5
David Sinclair at Guildhall, SouthamptonFrom The Times April 10, 2007After an interlude of light classical music had been played over the public address system, four shadowy figures arrived on stage and were immediately enveloped in a thunderstorm of thick, distorted sound and violently flashing lights. They hammered through If You Found This It’s Probably Too Late, a startling new song that lasted for all of 90 seconds. Then without drawing breath they piled into their new single, Brianstorm, another bone-rattling riff, only this time they were accompanied by the massed voices of the crowd, who greeted the number, which is not released until next Monday, like a long-loved favourite. Welcome back, then, Arctic Monkeys. Except it makes no sense to talk about Arctic Monkeys “coming back”. The band from Sheffield have not been out of the spotlight since they released their first album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, little more than a year ago, and have continued to scoop up accolades and awards right up to the announcement that their second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, is due to be released on April 23. Far from any signs of a backlash on the horizon, early reactions to the new songs have been universally favourable. And yesterday at the Guildhall in Southampton they made a low-key, but high-energy start to their latest British tour. Such is their popularity that they could have sold out the 1,700-capacity venue five or maybe ten times, and there will be arena dates later on in the summer. But the band have not let the speed of their success go to their heads. It is good news that they have produced another album so quickly after the first, and resisted the temptation to retreat into a cocoon of superstardom, tempting though it must be. But it was bad news that they couldn’t get a better sound out of this venue. As they moved on to more familiar territory with Still Take You Home, Dancing Shoes and When The Sun Goes Down, the sound actually seemed to deteriorate. The band sprayed the staccato riffs like machinegun bullets, and Alex Turner’s superfluent lyrics began turning into tongue-twisters. It was great that they had so much energy to spare, but why the tearing hurry? It wasn’t the best conditions for responding to new songs and Teddy Picker, with its dense lyric and vaudeville-flavoured riff, got an uncertain reception. But Fluorescent Adolescent, with its almost-reggae rhythm, was a much better gambit. “The boy’s a slag/The best you ever had,” Turner sang, and by the time he got to the last chorus the crowd had almost learnt the words to it too. Mardy Bum from the first album was welcomed with a huge cheer, but Turner reeled the song off without much sense of occasion, pausing towards the end to fire off a couple of comments to people who were waving at him from the crowd. This House is a Circus was another bold new song with a twitchy, tugging rhythm, while If You were There, Beware rocked along fiercely. Clearly, whatever happens with the new album, there was no question of a failure of nerve or imagination. But for a live presentation incorporating so many new songs, it was still a bit rough and ready at this stage.
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