Sheffield indie-rockers Arctic Monkeys are an enigma, rising to public consciousness through the power of internet ‘word-of-mouth’. Thanks to the continuing adoration of their web-savvy fans, tickets for Arctic Monkeys’ latest tour are sure to be in demand.
Forming in 2002, Arctic Monkeys began gigging locally the following summer, giving audiences free CDs containing 17 of their demo tracks. These tracks found their way onto the internet thanks to an enterprising fan, and via the power of file sharing the Arctic Monkeys’ music went viral.
Such was the strength of Arctic Monkeys’ web presence that their popularity spread throughout northern England, gaining attention from BBC radio and the press. Appearing as an unsigned act at 2005’s Reading Festival, the band was quickly signed to Domino records. Their first single ‘I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor’ entered the charts at number 1, despite minimal promotional activity. This feat was then repeated with the second single ‘When the Sun Goes Down’.
Success was no fluke. Arctic Monkeys’ debut album in 2006 Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not became the fastest-selling album in UK chart history and performed well enough in the US to prompt a well-received American tour.
Two further albums followed: Favourite Worst Nightmare in 2007 and Humbug in 2009, winning the Arctic Monkeys an even greater fan base and numerous music awards including Brits for ‘Best British Band’ and ‘Best Album’.
As the Arctic Monkeys tour again, take your chance to experience some intelligent indie rock at the hands of a true Sheffield phenomenon.