ARCTIC MONKEYS @ HOLLYWOOD FOREVER

“Anticipation has the habit to set you up.” Well, we certainly were not disappointed in evening entertainment at Hollywood Forever when it came to the highly anticipated return of the Arctic Monkeys which caused spikes in the impossible-to-get tickets going for a couple grand on Craigslist.

While most concerts on the cemetery grounds have the crowds about 1/2 standing and 1/2 lounging/picknicking, most everyone was packed in as close to the stage as possible as soon as the gates opened.

Before the main feast for our ears began, Cameron “Cam” Avery (Tame Impala) played a sweet set of his own. Accompanied by Matt Blitzer on bass and Henry Kwapis on drums, Avery took to vocals, keys and guitar busting out tunes from his album Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams. Also making a guest appearance on vocals was his lovely wife Alyssa Miller Avery.

A short while after the sun set over the cemetery grounds and the palm trees faded into the darkness, the lights and haze lit up the stage and the fans that have waited since the show was announced let out all their pent-up energy as soon as the Arctic Monkeys walked on the stage. It was quite fitting to have the show on 5/05 (“505” was played) and just under a week before Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino drops May 11th. No singles have been released so this show was extra special to hear a few new gems like the first song “Four Out of Five,” with “She Looks Like Fun” and “One Point Perspective” later on in the set.

Phones and bottles went up on “Do I Wanna Know?” as couples swayed. Shouts for “Cornerstone” came from a girl until it was finally played. Alex Turner’s vocal poetry embraced us throughout the set that was packed with songs from their previous five albums. A couple argued over “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High? with the female defending it saying it was a sexy song. And just when people started slowly packing up, Turner spoke. “I’ve only got one question left for you Hollywood.” And “R U Mine?” was the last song played. Arctic Monkeys play two nights at The Hollywood Bowl in October. We should know the words to all the songs from Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino by then.

Setlist:
Four Out of Five
Arabella
Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair
The View From the Afternoon
Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?
505
The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala
She Looks Like Fun (with Cameron Avery)
Crying Lightning
Do I Wanna Know?
Brianstorm
Pretty Visitors
You’re So Dark
Snap Out of It
Cornerstone
Knee Socks
I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
Encore:
One Point Perspective
One for the Road
R U Mine?