Arctic Monkeys: Alex Turner proves he’s unmatched at sold out Belfast show

The Sheffield outfit more than made it up to their fans after being forced to cancel their gig at Dublin’s Marlay Park earlier this year — their only planned show on the island of Ireland.

For anyone fearing the setlist would focus only on their new material, the Arctic Monkeys led with their earlier and arguably best work.

Fresh off the back of their shows in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the indie rock band are closing out their world tour with performances in Belfast and Dublin.

Fans hoping to see Arctic Monkeys at Marlay Park in June were left disappointed after the band were forced to cancel the gig due to illness.

Turner had been diagnosed with acute laryngitis and was under doctor’s orders to rest his voice ahead of headlining Glastonbury.

Thankfully, there was a surprise announcement in August when the Arctic Monkeys said they would return to Belfast and Dublin to make up for the forced cancellation.

Supported by special guest Miles Kane, who is best known for his solo work and being co-frontman of the Last Shadow Puppets alongside Turner, the show at the SSE Arena was Arctic Monkeys’ first gig in Northern Ireland since the release of their 2022 album The Car.

Rocker Kane was the perfect warm up with his energetic performance and got the crowd going with his infectious personality.

But it was the Arctic Monkeys everyone was waiting for.

“Hello, Belfast,” says Turner as he greets the crowd, with his foot on the monitors, suit on and shirt open.

The screams of teenage girls were deafening when Turner, Matt Helders, Jamie Cook and Nick O’Malley took to the stage.

The band eased their way into their show with Sculptures of Anything Goes.

After that, it was hit after hit as the Arctic Monkeys burst in with Brianstorm from their 2007 album Favourite Worst Nightmare.

This already felt like a setlist for their most loyal fans as their next track was Snap Out of It.

Each performance from some of their most popular albums Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not; Favourite Worst Nightmare; Humbug, Suck It and See; and AM felt like the band wanted to make up for their cancelled gig.

Turner was slick throughout. His vocals and audience interaction during Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High was up there with the best live performances around today.

Closing the gig, Arctic Monkeys rocked out the arena with their classic I Bet You look Good on the Dancefloor and R U Mine? Two fan favourites.

This was an Arctic Monkeys performance for the fans and Turner proved once again why he’s unmatched as a frontman.

Arctic Monkeys have two more shows left of their world tour at Dublin’s 3Arena.

There are still tickets available for tonight’s show and Thursday’s gig is sold out.