Sunday 22/04/07 Arctic Monkeys @ The Leadmill, Sheffield

There was a time when you could watch the Arctic Monkeys in peace. Stand, sing and shout as the band provide the electric energy onstage with their thrashing, thumping anthems playing out at maximum volume. However, tonight as the Leadmill fills to a dangerous capacity, the chances of you returning from the toilet with your limbs fully intact are very slim.
 
So as the band burst into 'Brianstorm' the crowd immediately become a collective of arms, legs and the occasional shoe as, fuelled by the pre gig alcohol they are determined to start a riot within minutes. As 'Still Take You Home' and 'Dancing Shoes' make a welcome appearance a man walks by looking a little dazed holding one shoe, while the remainder of the audience makes with tradition by singing every detail of each song back to the band onstage. As 'Teddy Picker' is introduced the guitar introduction is deafened through the crowd's own interpretations of the song, despite tomorrow's album release date.
 
Tonight the band are, however, extremely relaxed onstage. Alex Turner's usual sarcastic slant takes a backseat as he apologises to last night's audience ( "I was a little quiet") before remaining tight lipped throughout the show, only making brief exceptions to reassure himself that the crowd are enjoying his company. Why he needs confirmation though is unsure, as the lines " the house is a circus berserk as ****" find their rightful place among the hundreds shouting "SHEFFIELD!" at the top of their lungs as another person is lifted above the crowd.