Arctic Monkeys, Fontaines DC
Bell Center, Montreal QC
September 2nd, 2023
Canadian Beats Passport
Montrealers kicked off the long weekend in style, with English rockers Arctic Monkeys coming to town! Their last show here was their Osheaga headlining set in 2018, so needless to say their return was long-awaited and not a single seat was left empty in the Bell Center!
Irish post-punk band Fontaines DC opened the show! Coincidentally, their first show in town was also at Osheaga, but in 2019! Their set back then was at the Green Stage in the early afternoon blazing sun, quite the contrast from the dark colours and the moodiness of an indoor venue! Lead singer Grian Chatten paced and hoped around the stage with high energy, getting the crowd in the mood for the main act!
Shortly around 9pm, Arctic Monkeys emerged in a cloud of haze in front of a screaming audience. They kicked things into high gear with Sculptures of Anything Goes and the oh-so-catchy Snap Out of It. Dressed in his classic suit, frontman Alex Turner had the crowd in the palm of his hands from the moment he took off his sunglasses. He commanded the stage like no other, as he played his guitar and danced in a way only him can! As always, the stage setup brought some major retro vibes, and the band absolutely rocked out a 21-song setlist. Highlights included of course the major hits, Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?, Fluorescent Adolescent, Do I wanna know?, and an epic encore with 505 and R U Mine?. The evening was absolutely flawless, and we hope in won’t be another 4 years before the Monkeys come back in town!
Arctic Monkeys
Fontaines DC
