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Arctic Monkeys At The Wiltern: Review

Monica Reason |
September 30, 2013 | 2:55 p.m. PDT

Contributor

The Arctic Monkeys show, with Mini Mansions opening, on Sunday September 29 at the Wiltern was the first of three for the week.

Mini Mansions is a newly formed band, only 4 years old, and boasting Queens of the Stone Age bassist Michael Shuman. Shuman definitely delivered the heavy hitting QotSA fans are used to hearing as he stood in a white suit, center stage, pounding and head banging away. Although the lyrics in most of their songs sounded nonsensical, the beat provided by Shuman and groove from bass player Zach Dawes made a very attractive sound. 

When the eerie beginning sounds of “Do I Wanna Know” echoed through the Wiltern, the crowd became antsy, waiting for the band to come on. The illuminated AM stood out against the dark blue lighting, creating a mystifying daze over the crowd.

Opening with that number, the Arctic Monkeys were pumping the crowd with each tune, “warming us up,” as lead vocalist Alex Turner said after playing two more dancing/jumping/head banging required tunes, “Brainstorm” and “Dancing Shoes.”

Turner is the perfect front man, communicating with the audience through his words, movements, and his lyrics. He always had the crowd riled up, wanting more. He moved around the stage effortlessly as he kicked, punched at the air and pointed to the crowd, only having to comb back his perfectly coifed, trademark Teddy Boy hairdo a few times. 

The Arctic Monkeys played a variety of hits, taking mainly from "AM" (2013) and "Favorite Worst Nightmare" (2007). The "AM" hits went well with the crowd, as the album's been consistently getting positive reviews. It is still the traditional Arctic Monkey’s sound, but with some more groovy hits like “No.1 Party Anthem” and “Mad Sounds.”

READ MORE: Arctic Monkeys: 'AM' Album Review

When Turner played “Only Ones Who Know," couples and even friends and strangers standing side by side couldn’t help but sway together and hold one another. Turner set the mood just right for the intimate concert experience. 

An impressive fact about the concert was that drummer Matt Helders had broken his hand two days before the concert. Being a drummer, this can be quite problematic and result in cancelled shows. But a broken hand didn’t stop Helders from doing his infamously fast and precise drumming on hits such as “Brianstorm” and “A Certain Romance.” He never broke a beat and did not have to compensate for the injury, at least to the naked eye. 

The concert was overall a success and a good start to the three night series the band has in Los Angeles. All three shows are sold out and it is evident why: with the musical talent that is the Arctic Monkeys and the prowess of the front man that is Alex Turner, even those who are not quite familiar with the band’s hit would have an exhilarating, surreal experience. 

Read more of NT's show reviews here.

Reach Contributor Monica Reason here.



 

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