British indie rockers Arctic Monkeys were all business at Kool Haus on Saturday night, plowing their way through a mostly explosive 75-minute set in front of an enthusiastic sold out crowd.
But frankly, the Monkeys, who are currently touring North America leading up to the June 7 release of their fourth studio album, Suck It And See, with fellow Brits and buzz band The Vaccines in tow, seem long overdue for a venue upgrade on this side of the pond.
I’ve seen them at the same club on two previous tours and if there was ever an album that might push the Sheffield foursome up to larger quarters, it could just be this one which they’ve described as more vintage sounding, instant and hooky than 2009’s Josh Homme-produced Humbug.
Led by clever and charming wordsmith/lead singer-guitarist Alex Turner, the band - rounded out by rhythm guitarist Jamie Cook, bassist Nick O’ Malley and thundering drummer Matt Helders - opened strong with the new song, Library Pictures.
“How you feeling Canada?” asked Turner, 25, and the crowd roard their response. “Arctic Monkeys in Can-a-da.”
Other new standouts of the fast-paced show were Suck It and See’s first single, Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair - with the audience clapping and singing along - She’s Thunderstorms, and the heavier Brick By Brick, both sludgy and psychedelic, with Helders handling lead vocals in a rare occurence, and the set ending The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala.
“Why don’t you make a bit of Toronto noise for Matthew Helders?” asked Turner as he introduced the potential anthem Brick By Brick.
Still, older tunes like Brianstorm, Still Take You Home, Crying Lightning, Potion Approaching, Do Me A Favour, When The Sun Goes Down, and Fluorescent Adolescent really whipped fans into a frenzy as one after the other came barrelling over the barricades as they body surfed up to the stage.
“Are you in a Saturday night party mood Toronto ‘cause you seem like you are,” said Turner, before launching into the group’s first big and enduring hit, I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor.
Bouncers watered sweaty concertgoers like animals in a pen as they raised their fists in air and sang along at the front.
“Are you still with us Toronto?” asked Turner as he offered up a slow one, Cornerstone, as the show - which was not quite as exciting as their 2009 stop here - came to a close.
There was also an old-school vibe as Steppenwolf’s Born To Be Wild heralded the group’s arrival on their stripped-down stage while Electric Light Orchestra’s (It’s A) Livin’ Thing was played as the lights came up.
SET LIST:
Library Pictures
Brianstorm
This House Is A Circus
Still Take You Home
Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair
Pretty Visitors
Teddy Picker
Crying Lightning
She’s Thunderstorms
I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
Potion Approaching
Brick by Brick
If You Were There, Beware
Do Me A Favour
Cornerstone
The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala
ENCORE:
The View From The Afternoon
When The Sun Goes Down
Fluorescent Adolescent
