http://www.arcticmonkeys-store.co.uk

Go to http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk to listen online.

http://www.1019rxp.com

The session was performed by Alex & John Ashton and features an exclusive acoustic performance of new 'My Propeller' B-side, 'Joining The Dots'.

Full Tracklisting below:

Cornerstone
Crying Lightning
Only You Know
Fluorescent Adolescent
Joining The Dots

Videos of this session are available online to view now, follow the below link:

http://www.1019rxp.com/tv3/

APRIL

21st April - Estadio Azteca's Esplanade, Mexico City
22nd April - Foro Alterno, Guadalajara

Tickets go onsale on Monday 8th March 2010.

APRIL

1st April   Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie, Miami Beach, Florida
2nd April  The Ritz, Tampa, Florida
3rd April   Hard Rock Live, Orlando, Florida
5th April   40 Watt Club, Athens, Georgia
6th April   Disco Rodeo, Raleigh, North Carolina
7th April   Rams Head Live, Baltimore, Maryland
9th April   Madison Theatre, Covington, Kentucky
11th April The Pageant, St. Louis, Missouri
12th April Liberty Hall, Lawrence, Kansas
13th April Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa, Oklahoma
15th April The Marquee, Tempe, Arizona

Tickets go onsale from the 12th February. For more information, go to the gigs page.

Tracklistings for the single are as follows:

7"(RUG 359)
A: My Propeller
B: Joining The Dots

10"(RUG 359T)
A1: My Propeller
A2: Joining The Dots
B1: The Afternoon's Hat
B2: Don't Forget Whose Legs You're On

Artwork will be revealed shortly.

Tickets go on general sale on Friday 5th February at 9am from the following websites:

http://www.teenagecancertrust.org

http://www.royalalberthall.com

http://www.gigsandtours.com

Ticket prices range from £25-£75.

Arctic Monkeys will be running a fan pre-sale from 9am Wednesday 3rd February. To receive full details of the pre-sale, sign-up to the bands mailing list.

Click here to bid

Tickets go onsale from 2pm today and are available from http://www.ticketmaster.es

For more information go to http://www.mtvnetprensa.com

Performing tracks from their 3rd album, 'Humbug' and a cover of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, 'Red Right Hand', click here to watch the full transmission.

There is a limited edition 10" of 'Cornerstone' which will be onsale exclusively in Oxfams top 50 music shops. Oxfam will also be giving away pairs of 'golden tickets' to the band's forthcoming UK tour in each area.

'Cornerstone' is the second single from the recent number one album 'Humbug', and features new track 'Catapult' as well as exclusive B-sides 'Sketchead' and 'Fright Lined Dining Room'. All vinyls will come with a download code that enables fans to get MP3 versions for free.

7"
A: Cornerstone
B: Catapult

10"
A: Cornerstone
B: Catapult
B: Sketchead
B: Fright Lined Dining Room

MP3 Digital Download
1. Cornerstone
2. Catapult
3. Sketchead
4. Fright Lined Dining Room

The single can be purchased from the online store - http://www.arcticmonkeys-store.co.uk

The band will be performing 'Cornerstone'.

The new items include, Catapult T-Shirt, Humbug Songbook and Cornerstone Tote bag.

'Cornerstone' is the second single from recent number one album 'Humbug', and features new track 'Catapult' as well as exclusive B-sides 'Sketchead' and 'Fright Lined Dining Room'. The 'Cornerstone' 10" will cost £4.99, and each single will come with a download code allowing fans to get an MP3 version of the songs for free.

Oxfam will also be giving away pairs of 'golden tickets' to the band's forthcoming UK tour in each area. 'Cornerstone' is also available in the bands online store here - http://www.arcticmonkeys-store.co.uk

The programme is show on Canal+. For more information, click here.

You can access the bands myspace here.

Tickets can be purchased from here.

Cornerstone is now available to pre-order from the Arctic Monkeys Online Store.

Tickets go onsale at 10am EST on Friday 30th October 2009.

DEC

6th Dec - Riviera Theatre, Chicago - Buy Tickets
7th Dec - Mr Small's Theatre, Pittsburgh - Buy Tickets

Tickets can be purchased from here.

Tickets can be purchased from here.

Tickets can be purchased from here.

NOVEMBER

13th Nov - Liverpool Echo Arena
14th Nov - Sheffield Arena
16th Nov - Newcastle Metro Arena
17th Nov - London Wembley Arena
18th Nov - London Wembley Arena
20th Nov - Birmingham NIA
21st Nov - Manchester MEN Arena
22nd Nov - Nottingham Trent FM Arena

Tickets are onsale now and can be purchased from http://www.crowdqueue.com/arcticmonkeys

DECEMBER 2009

6th Dec - Riviera Theatre, Chicago - Tix 24/10
7th Dec - Mr Small's Theatre, Pittsburgh - Tix 24/10
8th Dec - 9:30 Club, Washington - Tix 22/10
11th Dec - Terminal 5, New York - Tix 23/10
13th Dec - House of Blues, Boston - Tix 17/10 - 10am
14th Dec - Metropolis, Montreal - Tix 22/10

Ticketlinks will be posted on the gigs page. Support comes from Screaming Females(except Montreal).

The 7" and 10" both come with download codes, enabling you to download the tracks in MP3 format too.

Click here to go to the store.

'Cornerstone' shall be released on Monday 16th November 2009.

The video will be uploaded to the website after this transmission.

February 2010

8th Feb - Zenith, Munich - Buy Tickets

9th Feb - Stadthalle, Offenbach - Buy Tickets

10th Feb - Philipshalle, Dusseldorf - Buy Tickets

February 2010

8th Feb - Zenith, Munich

9th Feb - Stadthalle, Offenbach

10th Feb - Philipshalle, Dusseldorf

Tickets go onsale at 9am(German time) on Friday 9th October 2009 from the following ticket outlets: http://www.muenchenticket.de/ / http://www.stadthalle-offenbach.de/ / http://www.duesselticket.de/  

Arctic Monkeys will once again join forces with Oxfam, more information to follow.

'Cornerstone' will be available on 7", 10" and Digital Download. The single will be backed with 3 brand new b-sides - 'Catapult', 'Sketchead' and 'Fright Lined Dining Room'.

7"

A: Cornerstone

B: Catapult

10"

A: Cornerstone

A1: Catapult

B: Sketchead

B1: Fright Lined Dining Room

Digital Download

1. Cornerstone

2. Catapult

3. Sketchead

4. Fright Lined Dining Room

From 1pm on Sunday 4th October 2009, fans can buy a maximum of 2 tickets per person at the Liquid Room venue ticket office. Fans will need to present their copy of 'Humbug' and give their name & address to the ticket seller as tickets will be named and ID required on the door.

For more information, click here.

To listen online, click here.

To work out the time where you are, use Timezone Converter.

To listen online, click here. 

To listen online, click here.

January 2010

27th Jan - Summum, Grenoble
29th Jan - Liberte, Rennes
30th Jan - Medoquine, Bordeaux
31st Jan - Zenith, Montpellier

Tickets go onsale at 9am(French time) on Saturday 26th September from http://www.fnacspectacles.com

To listen online, go to, http://kexp.org/

People can enter the show with either a free ticket or a MFNW Wristband which are available to purchase from here. Entrance into the show is on a first come, first served basis.

Free tickets are available on the day of the show(18/9/09) at 10am. They will be located at the following 2 addresses:

Jackpot Records, 203 SW 9th Ave. Portland, OR. 503-222-0990

3574 SE Hawthorne Ave. Portland, OR. 503 -239-7561

The concert will be moved to Palacio Vistalegre, a bigger capacity venue, meaning their are now extra tickets available from http://www.ticketmaster.es

The old tickets for Madrid Satelite Arena will be valid for the new venue. The revised Spanish dates are:

5th Feb 2010 - Palacio Vistalegre, Madrid
6th Feb 2010 - Sant Jordi Club, Barcelona

For a full list of the US dates and other Arctic Monkeys live shows, go to http://www.arcticmonkeys.com/gigs/php

All members registered before 8pm tonight will be able to access the pre-sale box office at the below link:

http://www.crowdqueue.com/arcticmonkeys

At 9am tomorrow(Wednesday 9th September) you will be able to access the box office by entering your Username/Password.

**IMPORTANT TERMS & CONDITIONS - PLEASE READ**

-Tickets are limited to 4 per person per show.

-By ordering you agree that the tickets are for the personal use of you and your party only, and will not be resold or transferred.

-Any resale or attempt to resell the tickets at a price higher than face value will result in your orders being cancelled without prior notification.

-Each show is strictly 16+ standing and 14+ seated and may require entrants to bring a form of photographic I.D.(Passport, Driving License, National Identity Card).

Tickets will go on general sale at 9am on Friday 11th September 2009.

The band shall be joined by special guests, Eagles of Death Metal. Tickets will be priced at £29.50.

There will be an exclusive UK pre-sale to members of the Arctic Monkeys website that will begin at 9am on Wednesday 9th September 2009.

To access the box office for pre-sale tickets, you will need a registered Username/Password from the Arctic Monkeys website, which can be obtained here: http://www.arcticmonkeys.com/register.php

Registration will close at 8pm on Tuesday 8th September. Users registering after this time, will not be able to access the pre-sale area.

PRE-SALE LINK: http://www.crowdqueue.com/arcticmonkeys

At 9am on Wednesday 9th September, go to the above link and enter your Username/Password to access the box office for pre-sale tickets.

**IMPORTANT TERMS & CONDITIONS - PLEASE READ**

- Tickets are limited to 4 per person per show.
- By ordering you agree that the tickets are for the personal use of you and your party only, and will not be resold or transferred.
- Any resale or attempt to resell the tickets at a price higher than face value will result in your orders being cancelled without prior notification.
- Each show is strictly 16+ standing and 14+ seated and may require entrants to bring a form of photographic I.D.(Passport, Driving License, National Identity Card).

Tickets will go on general sale at 9am on Friday 11th September 2009.

24hr CC Hotline: 0871 2200 260 / 0844 826 2626
Buy online: http://www.gigsandtours.com / http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk / http://www.gigsinscotland.com

NOVEMBER

13th Nov   Liverpool Echo Arena   0844 8000 400
14th Nov   Sheffield Arena           0114 256 5656
16th Nov   Newcastle Metro Arena  0844 493 6666
18th Nov   London Wembley Arena 0844 815 0815
20th Nov   Birmingham NIA            0844 338 8000
21st Nov   Manchester MEN Arena   0844 847 800
22nd Nov  Nottingham Trent FM Arena   0844 412 4624
24th Nov   Glasgow SECC                0844 499 9990
25th Nov   Belfast The Odyssey       02890 739 074
26th Nov   Dublin The O2               0818 719 300

For all other gigs, go to http://www.arcticmonkeys.com/gigs.php

To go to the online store, go to http://www.arcticmonkeys-store.co.uk

5th November - Zenith, Paris, France
6th November - Zenith, Paris, France - SOLD OUT

To purchase tickets for the show on the 5th November, click the below link:

http://www.fnacspectacles.com

Pre-sale tickets are available from 10am(local time) on Friday 4th September and then general sale on Monday 7th September. Tickets are available from here.

Croatia - Friday 28th August
South Korea - Tuesday 1st September
Israel - Wednesday 2nd September
Taiwan - Friday 4th September
Argentina - Monday 14th September

To purchase the album from the online store, click here.

To see clips of the bands performance, go to http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/arctic-monkeys

3rd Nov   Lotto Arena, Antwerp, Belgium
8th Nov   Berlin Arena, Germany
10th Nov Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, Netherlands
11th Nov Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Ticketlinks can be found on the gigs page.

The 10-track album is available on CD, Vinyl and MP3 and includes the single 'Crying Lightning'. Each vinyl copy of the album will come with an MP3 coupon which enables you to download the tracks for free through the Domino Online Store.

To order the album from the Arctic Monkeys online store, or the album bundle, with a collectable, limited edition poster, click here.

November 2009

3rd Nov   Lotto Arena, Antwerp, Belgium
5th Nov   Zenith, Paris, France
6th Nov   Zenith, Paris, France
8th Nov   Berlin Arena, Germany
10th Nov Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, Netherlands
11th Nov Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, Netherlands

February 2010

2nd Feb   Coliseum, Porto, Portugal
3rd Feb   Campo Pequeno, Lisbon, Portugal
5th Feb   Satellite Arena, Madrid, Spain
6th Feb   Sant Jordi Club, Barcelona, Spain

The 2010 dates will go onsale tomorrow (25th August) at 9am local times. All ticket details can be found on the gig listings page of the site here.

Tickets will be onsale at 10am on Saturday 29th August 2009 from here. 

Ticket are available from here. Tickets go onsale at 9am on Monday 24th August 2009.

This will be the band's first UK show since December 2007 and their first since the release of their 3rd album, 'Humbug'.

The band shall be joined by very special guests. Tickets are priced £27.50 + booking fee.

To apply to purchase tickets, you will need to register your interest in attending this show via our application page - http://www.arcticmonkeys.com/apply

Registration period will end at midnight on Wednesday 19th August 2009. Successful applicants will then be notified via email the following day, Thursday 20th August 2009, with details of how to purchase tickets. There will then be a purchase period until Sunday 23rd August 2009. Any remaining tickets will then go onsale to all other applicants on a first come, first served basis.

IMPORTANT TERMS & CONDITIONS - PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

-Tickets are limited to 2 per person.
-The show is strictly 16+ and will require all entrants to bring a form of photographic I.D.(Passport, Driving License, National Identity Card).
-If you do not have a valid form of photo I.D. you will be refused entry to the venue.
-Each successful applicant must when entering the venue on the night have a valid form of photo I.D. which correlates to the name on the ticket.
-Each successful applicant must enter the venue with the person holding their second ticket. If the person with the second ticket is not with the successful applicant then the 2nd ticket will be invalidated.
-The reselling of these tickets is strictly prohibited and tickets will be invalidated.

To listen online, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/listen

'Crying Lightning' will be the first single released through Oxfam's network of charity shops in 25 years. Proceeds will go to help the charity's lifesaving work around the world.

The limited-edition 7", which features a cover of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 'Red Right Hand', will be available in every one of Oxfam's 700 high street shops. Each single will include a download code allowing fans to get an MP3 version of the songs for free. There will also be a 10" release featuring B-sides 'Red Right Hand' and a new track 'I Haven't Got My Strange'.

7"
A: Crying Lightning
B: Red Right Hand

10"
A: Crying Lightning
B: Red Right Hand
B: I Haven't Got My Strange

MP3 Digital Download
1. Crying Lightning
2. Red Right Hand
3. I Haven't Got My Strange

The vinyl shall come with a coupon insert with a code for you to redeem the tracks through the Domino Digital Store. As previously reported, vinyl copies of 'Crying Lightning' shall also come with a redeemable coupon for MP3s of the tracks.

To listen online, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/listen

'Crying Lightning' will be the first single released through Oxfam's network of charity shops in 25 years. Proceeds will go to help the charity's lifesaving work around the world.

The limited-edition 7", which features a cover of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 'Red Right Hand', will be available in every one of Oxfam's 700 high street shops. Each single will include a download code allowing fans to get an MP3 version of the songs for free. There will also be a 10" release featuring B-sides 'Red Right Hand' and a new track 'I Haven't Got My Strange'. The 7" and 10" will be available to pre-order in the online store here.

Tracklistings for each format is shown below:

7"
A: Crying Lightning
B: Red Right Hand

10"
A: Crying Lightning
B: Red Right Hand
B: I Haven't Got My Strange

MP3 Digital Download
1. Crying Lightning
2. Red Right Hand
3. I Haven't Got My Strange

To find your nearest Oxfam store, use the online store locator here.

The Culture Show airs on BBC 2 in the UK on Wednesday 5th August at 7.00pm

Go to: http://webtransmission.arcticmonkeys.com to view.

People can enter the show with either a free ticket or a MFNW Wristband which are available to purchase from here. Entrance into the show is on a first come, first served basis.

Free tickets are available on the day of the show(18/9/09) at 10am. They will be located at the following 2 addresses:

Jackpot Records, 203 SW 9th Ave. Portland, OR. 503-222-0990

3574 SE Hawthorne Ave. Portland, OR. 503 -239-7561

The badges will be out on 4th August 2009.

You can currently see a trailer running on the Transmission page here.

This will only be available till the week commencing 28th September 2009.

Tickets for the following shows will go on general onsale on Saturday 18th July at 10am(local times) unless otherwise stated.

14th Sept - Soma, San Diego - Tickets can be obtained here **Onsale 12pm**

15th Sept - Hollywood Palladium, LA - Tickets can be obtained here

19th Sept - The Showbox @ The Market, Seattle - Tickets can be obtained here

22nd Sept - In The Venue, Salt Lake City - Tickets can be obtained here

28th Sept - Newport Music Hall, Columbus - Tickets can be obtained here

2nd Oct - House of Blues, New Orleans - Tickets can be obtained here

Onsale dates for the remaining US dates shall be announced shortly. Keep checking back for more information.

Tickets for the following shows will go on general onsale on Friday 17th July at 10am(local times).

20th Sept - Malkin Bowl, Vancouver - Tickets can be obtained here

23rd Sept - Ogden Theatre, Denver - Tickets can be obtained here

25th Sept - First Avenue, Minneapolis - Tickets can be obtained here

29th Sept - Kool Haus, Toronto - Tickets can be obtained here

3rd Oct - House of Blues, Houston - Tickets can be obtained here

5th Oct - Palladium Ballroom, Dallas - Tickets can be obtained here

Onsale dates for the remaining US dates shall be announced shortly. Keep checking back for more information.

The band will play the following dates:

SEPTEMBER

14th September - Soma, San Diego

15th September - Hollywood Palladium, LA

16th September - Fox Theater, Oakland

18th September - Wonder Ballroom, Portland **FREE SHOW**

19th September - The Showbox @ The Market, Seattle

20th September - Malkin Bowl, Vancouver

22nd September -In The Venue, Salt Lake City - w/Airborne Toxic Event

23rd September - Ogden Theatre, Denver - w/Airborne Toxic Event

25th September - First Avenue, Minneapolis

26th September - Eagles Ballroom, Milwaukee

28th September - Newport Music Hall, Columbus

29th September - Kool Haus, Toronto

30th September - Electric Factory, Philadelphia

OCTOBER

2nd October - House of Blues, New Orleans

3rd October - House of Blues, Houston

4th October - Austin City Limits Festival, Austin

5th October - The Palladium Ballroom

Pre-sale tickets will only be available to Arctic Monkeys registered members. Sign-up or sign-in if already a member here and you will be sent an email with the activation password, pre-sale ticketlinks, and pre-sale announcement dates and times for the US/Canada dates.

General Onsale information shall be announced shortly.

Tickets are available from here

'Crying Lightning' will be broadcast between 7-8pm on BBC Radio 1, 97-99FM in the UK. You can listen to the show online here

From midnight tonight, 'Crying Lightning' will be available for digital download, exclusively from iTunes.

'Crying Lightning' will receive it's worldwide, exclusive first radio play on Monday 6th July on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show. The single will then be available digitally via iTunes from midnight that night. Physical versions of 'Crying Lightning' will be available on the 17th August. More details to follow.

Tickets will go onsale on Friday 3rd July at 10am CST.

As previously announced, the shows are:

Monday 3rd August - Highline, New York - Buy Tickets

Wednesday 5th August - Paradise, Boston - Buy Tickets

Friday 7th August - Metro, Chicago - Buy Tickets

Pre-sale tickets will only be available to Arctic Monkeys registered members. Sign-up or sign-in if already a member here and you will be sent an email with the activation password and pre-sale ticketlinks for all 3 shows.

Pre-sale tickets will be available from 10am local time on Tuesday 23rd June. Tickets for the Boston and Chicago shows go on general sale from 12 noon Saturday 27th June. The general onsale date for New York is to be announced.

Tickets are available from here

Monday 3rd August - Highline, New York - Buy Tickets

Wednesday 5th August - Paradise, Boston - Buy Tickets

Friday 7th August - Metro, Chicago - Buy Tickets

Pre-sale tickets will only be available to Arctic Monkeys registered members. Sign-up or sign-in if already a member here and you will be sent an email with the activation password and pre-sale ticketlinks for all 3 shows.

Pre-sale tickets will be available from 10am local time on Tuesday 23rd June. Tickets for the Boston and Chicago shows go on general sale from 12 noon Saturday 27th June. The general onsale date for New York is to be announced.

To pre-order the album now from the new Arctic Monkeys online store click here

Fans can now pre-order the album in bundle form, with a collectable, limited edition poster, from the bands store.

Tickets go onsale Saturday 4th July.

UK - Monday 24th August

Ireland - Friday 21st August

USA(inc Canada) - Tuesday 25th August

Germany(inc Austria, Switzerland) - Friday 21st August

Benelux - Friday 21st August

Japan - Wednesday 19th August

Sweden - Wednesday 26th August

Finland - Wednesday 26th August

Italy - Friday 28th August

Turkey - Monday 31st August

Australia - Friday 21st August

New Zealand - Monday 24th August

Latin America - Monday 24th August

Greece - Monday 31st August

Tickets are available from here.

Produced by Josh Homme in the Mojave Desert and LA, and with James Ford in Brooklyn, the album features ten new Arctic Monkeys songs.

The tracklisting is as follows:

01. My Propeller
02. Crying Lightning
03. Dangerous Animals
04. Secret Door
05. Potion Approaching
06. Fire & The Thud
07. Cornerstone
08. Dance Little Liar
09. Pretty Visitors
10. The Jeweller's Hands

The album will be available on CD, vinyl and via digital download.

To receive exclusive announcements regarding live performances, release dates and other news, click here to sign-up.

To order a copy click here.

Tickets are available from here.

To pre-order a copy click here.

Tickets are available from here.

Tickets are available from here.

So there you have it. Wow.

Normal service will now resume.

x

Tickets are available here.

There is a US-Only Bonus CD which accompanies the DVD, featuring 11 tracks recorded by the band in Austin, Texas.

Tickets are available here.

Tickets are available here from Friday 3rd April 2009.

Tickets are available here.

The band will headline the Leeds Festival on Friday 28th and Reading Festival on Saturday 29th August. Tickets are available here.

Monday (16th March) was recuperation day and a chance for everyone to stretch their legs and explore their new home for the next few weeks. Within hours of embarking on this new adventure, Nick, Jamie and Matt were found freewheeling through Brooklyn on 3 shiny new purchases. BMX's. I once took a nice pic of Matt on one during the first album recording sessions, which I will try and dig out for you. Matt insists that "The BMX is the best form of travel"...I'm not so sure.

Tuesday (17th March) was to quote Jermaine Clement from Flight of the Conchords "Business Time". The daily commute made easier by the E.T style procession of 80's bikes. Less than a week in the Big Apple and the lads are in trouble with the law. Matt puts it down to looking too rad on their new BMX's. NYPD puts it down to riding bikes on the footpath. Cautionary warnings issued, we were sent packing. Despite the drama, everyone is in agreement that Brooklyn is amazing.

It's too early in the recording process to give a good analysis of the new material, but so far everything is going and sounding great. In the breaks between recording, we've been catching up on the latest and perhaps most ridiculous reality TV shows. Until Matt brought them to my attention I was unaware of them, and still can't believe shows like this actually exist. "Tough Love" follows women really that are desperate for love (and fame), and then there is "Tool Academy", the horrendous irony of the title and the shows über macho content must surely be intentional. Nick put it the best "They're really shit and depressing, but I can't stop watching them!". If you have access to these shows, go and see just how unspeakably bad they are.

To round up this episode, I'd like to play a little game of spot the difference. Unfortunately, it's just for fun and not a competition.

Tut Tut. Shame on you Mr Diddy. Get your own ideas for blogs.

See ya later alligator
X

Tickets are available from here from Saturday 21st March 2009.

What did you all make of Lady Ga Ga's Poker Face cover or the short clip from one of the new songs? It's quite an epic one and will sound absolutely amazing live. For knowledge boffins amongst you, the ivories in the clip were being tinkled by Mr. John Ashton of The Last Shadow Puppets fame, and long standing front of house guru for the Monkeys over the past four years.

The rehearsal space has a good vibe, plus there is a great little coffee shop up the road which does a mean Tuscan bean soup. This particular rehearsal studio seems to be a popular place to be if you're in a band. It's a friendly musical community, where bands busily beaver away and pop in to each others studios for a chat.

With songs finely honed and flight cases packed, team Monkey moves camp to New York to record the last bunch of tracks for the 3rd album. Excited? I am. I'll be chatting to the band via I-Chat when they are out in New York over the next few weeks to find out how things are going, and report back to you all. Hopefully as the album goes into the mixing and mastering stages we'll get some juicy titbits for you.

Anyways, I have to go now. I have to climb over the fence and recover those crocs that Matt binned. Turns out he had Cookie's pair on and he went spare when he found out.

Bye for now.
x

Tickets are available here.

It's an indisputable fact that bowling never looked cooler than it did in Grease 2. Kingpin tried it, so did The Big Lebowski. None of them ever came close to matching the style of Michelle Pfeiffer in her Ray Bans, maybe it was the ridiculousness of the wind-milling arms before the release of the ball, or the not so subtle double entendre of "scoring" that appealed to my adolescent sense of humour. It's something that has stayed with me to this day and I can still remember most of the words to the song. When I was informed by Matt that "tonight we bowl”, understandably, I was most excited.

I had no idea how competitive they all were, everyone was desperate to win and mind games came into play. Strike was matched with strike and at one point both lanes we had booked had three-way ties. In the end it was very close, however there could only be one winner. I don't like to brag, but needless to say it will probably be the first and last time I'm invited to play. Below is a sweet Bowleroid photo (pun courtesy of James O'Hara) that I took of the bowling team.

We finished off the night round at Al's with a bottle of whisky and a couple of wasted hours playing the pun game. For those not aware of this late night distraction, it is a word association game and the rules are simple.

Rule one - Take one subject - i.e. The Sea.
Rule two - Combine rule one with a quote/band/artist etc. to form a pun.

E.g.
Hake That?
Sand-y Shore?
Half Manatee Half Biscuit?

Matt killed the game with a pun, which nobody could top.

Buoyancy Knowles.

With the first week of rehearsals over and some brand spanking new songs worked out, I rendezvoused with the band at their rehearsal space. I was treated to a run through of the fruits of their recent labour, a real mixed bag of up tempo bangers and slower melodic tunes. Already the album is shaping up to be another stunning piece of work.

Unfortunately my last video blog, The View From The Orange Stage..., was deemed in violation of the Youtube terms of use due to the split second of nudity. We have replaced version 1 with version 2, which substitutes the offending clip with a censored version. It's a shame because we lost the stats for over 20,000 views and a couple of hundred comments and ratings. Feel free to watch again and repost your comments, it will make me feel better if nothing else.

Good News. Next Monday is a date for your diary, we will be bringing you a video View from... , narrated by Matt from the rehearsal rooms. There will be the usual hi jinx from the band and a healthy dose of Mattire (Matt's Satire). Perhaps I should have put a consumer health warning in the pun game rules, that playing may impede your ability to converse without punning?

Kali Nichta
x

Tickets are available here.

Tickets are available here.

Thank you for all your comments and emails over the last few weeks. Some of you were a little concerned about my bust up with Alex in the View From The Orange Stage, unfortunately the cameras had stopped rolling for the worst of it, I lost a tooth and Al got a shiner. We had to be pulled apart by the rest of the band and security. We have attempted to reconcile for the sake of the blogs, but rest assured you can cut the tension with a knife.

OK so technically I wasn't at the awards ceremony on Wednesday night... but I did watch some blurry webcam footage of it at home, so I felt a part of the whole event. A big congratulations to the Band, Richard Ayoade, Warp Films, and everyone else who was involved in the production that resulted in bagging the gong for best DVD. Congratulations must also go out to The Last Shadow Puppets for scooping the Best Video Award. TLSP's links with the Monkeys don't just start and finish with Alex; they also share record label, management and lots of the same road crew who all deserve kudos.

The good news is that winning awards isn't the only thing stirring in Monkey's loins, just because they aren't touring at the minute doesn't mean the machine is sitting idle. As of this week they are back on active duty and have returned to a practice room for a couple of weeks. I hope to bring you a video View from... narrated by Matthew from these very rehearsal sessions in the next couple of weeks.

See you when I see you.
x

Tickets are available here.

The event takes place over 2 days, 14th-15th August 2009. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday 2nd March via here or by phone +45 70 263 267.

The poster is limited to just 500 prints, and was designed by Ken Taylor from Beyond The Pale.

I was thankful for the cooling 30 degree breeze of Perth - a lot more hospitable to my pasty British complexion. I had fond memories of Perth from my last visit, the people were great and we found the best little bar called Hula Bula. Much to our delight it still existed and, even better, the owners have branched out and opened a club called Devilles Pad near by. If you were to see a photo of it you may be fooled into thinking it's a tacky version of Heaven and Hell or some other backwards, cheesy theme bar in Barnsley, with a play list including Hendrix, Presley and Dick Dale.

One last gig to go, and as I sit here in Perth contemplating the weeks gone by, it seems like a lifetime ago we touched down in Wellington after that epic flight; an epic flight I will be repeating again in less than 24 hours. The tour has been wonderful- the new friends we made along the way, the amazing new songs that were debuted and the excellent gigs that rocked. Hopefully you have really enjoyed The View From episodes. We have certainly enjoyed making them. With a new album in the pipeline, you haven't heard the last from me, but until next time, á bientôt.

X

The Melbourne gig was the first time the band had played an all seated venue, not that it mattered to the vibe of the gig at all. It still went off, although a little bit more politely than usual, what with everyone stood so nicely in front of their chairs. I think it must have benefited those who normally go to gigs and spend an hour in some sweaty blokes armpit or worse. This time they got to actually watch the show.

After the gig, and with three days graft under our belts, it was time for everyone to have a big drink because the next day was finally a day off. We went to a bar in St Kilda called Espy, and with a live funk and soul band playing, copious Moscow mules, I was in for a world of pain the next morning.

Monday, the day of BDO Melbourne was also Australia day/Chinese New Year/Geoff Barradale day. Who would have thought so many momentous occasions would fall on the same day? It got a little messy.

The next day and the temperature in Sydney showed no signs of subsiding. In fact today, as there was no breeze, the dry heat felt even hotter. In order to cool down we decided to take a boat trip around the harbour and spend the morning on one of the small beaches just outside of Sydney centre. Unfortunately there was one seat short so yours truly slid around the boat like those dogs in the back of the van in the film Dumb and Dumber, much to everyone's amusement. Fish and chips dinner at the superb Doyle's restaurant and it was time to head back to the hotel and pick up all our gear for the BDO show in Sydney.

Timm, our tour manager warns us not to drink too much alcohol before the gig as a few of the previous bands have been suffering a bit under the relentless heat. As soon as his back is turned Jamie cracks a bottle of coopers ale open in defiance. Brits abroad eh!

Wet and Wild? Dry and mildly amused more like. We chose to go to a water park on possibly the busiest day of the year, 45 minute queues for the rides in the blazing sun was no fun at all. Still, the rides we did get on were great, although I was robbed of the 50 dollar cash pot in the super eight speed race by Big Nige, who slid unnaturally fast down the shoot. I'm looking forward to a grudge match one day soon - and this time I will take no prisoners. I should add at this point that Al was beaten by a 12 year old girl, which makes losing easier to bear.

Following on from the success of the BDO in the Gold Coast, we had two full days off plus a travel day to Sydney before we had to get back to work. Most of us decided to hire a car and take a trip up to Byron Bay for some R and R on the beach. Byron was stunning, and Watego Beach was a REAL surfer's paradise. The weather was great, the sea refreshing, and the bat and ball competitive. If only we had the forethought to pick up some supplies for a beach barbie, we could have stayed there until bedtime.

We arrived on a hot and sticky, but overcast afternoon. By the evening we were experiencing showers, so all we could manage was a quick wander around the town, which seemed more like Malia down under, than the paradise we had been expecting, so we swiftly retreated back to the hotel bar and dug in for the night.

The morning of the Gold Coast BDO we make sure we arrive on site a little earlier so we could check out some of the other artists playing at the festival. It has to be said that The Prodigy, in particular, was one of the best gig experiences of my life. Their stage presence and the crowds enthusiasm combined with a bass capable of bringing on a heart murmur, was immense. Even better was watching the look of horror on the faces of the kids who were staying in our hotel as the scary looking trio of Keith, Maxim and Liam from the Prodigy walked by.

So later on with freshly washed joggers donned and Margaritas all round, the Monkeys take to the stage for their first Australian gig of 2009. With it already going dark, and over 50000 rampaging Aussies dancing and waving glow sticks, Al was on great form- crawling under the piano during Red Right Hand. During the gig Matt received a souvenir from some adoring fans, a flag saying, "Who the fuck is Matthew Helders" which he was very pleased with.

We now have two days off to have some fun in the sun- fingers crossed- on the Gold Coast. Wet and Wild tomorrow! I haven't been to a water park since I was 14! Bring it on.

X

Rewinding back a couple of days, we arrived in Auckland still buzzing from the great start to the tour in Wellington, where any cobwebs were well and truly blown away. Onto the Powerstation and a return to the more intimate venues where the band is within touching distance and fitting all the production's gear onto the stage as well as accommodating support acts is a logistical nightmare. Collapsing Cities and Zane Lowe really fired up the crowd and by the time the Monkeys took the stage the ohms and electricity generated in the Powerstation was off the chart.

The gig was simply awesome, the new stuff really hit home and 'Crying Lightning' stole the show again. And so on to the first of the Big Day Out Festivals. Nursing hangovers we arrived at the site just in time for dinner.The sun is beginning to set and so begins the walk to the Orange stage.

There are still no sign of nerves that they are about to be playing to around 40,000 people. The intro music kicks in and the band walks out to a crescendo of applause. As the day reaches twighlight and the set reaches its climax it is with jubilation but a heavy heart that we say farewell to New Zealand once more. Such a beautiful country... We never did get to sky dive. Maybe next time eh?

Australia here we come.
X

Ya flamin galar!

The band's next performance will be at the Gold Coast, Big Day Out on Sunday 18th January 2008. Further dates can be found on the Gigs page.

In case you didn’t already know, Arctic Monkeys are in the process of recording another album. If you did know that then you may not know that recording is going extremely well and sounds flipping ace. By now you will have realised that they have sneaked some new tunes into the set; what’s your opinion on them so far? They’re probably all over Youtube already, recorded from peoples mobiles at the gig so I’m not going to bother posting my high quality videos with line recorded audio from the sound desk. What you will get from me though, over the course of the next 3 weeks, are photos, videos and musings from me on the road. The laughs, the highs and the bum notes.

And so it begins 11577.34 miles travelled over 36 hours door to door. At least 4 airplane meals, each with a different type of meat but yet worryingly all tasting exactly the same. We (the crew) arrived in Wellington at 3pm, very tired and very grumpy, but had to keep awake for a few more hours to sort our body clocks out and be ready to work the next day. The band arrived the day before us after spending New Years in Australia, and had set up camp at a local recording studio to rehearse the set in anticipation of the opening night of this tour at the Wellington Town Hall.

Rehearsals complete, base was shifted to the Town hall to combine the lights and sound together. All that was left to add now was the crowd (and a bucket or two of sweat, man it was hot!). 13 months off…(would they be match fit?). You wouldn’t have known and it certainly doesn’t seem like it. Wellington’s first ever Arctic Monkeys gig was a resounding success, the previously unheard songs were well received, but it was always going to be the older stuff that really got the crowd bouncing and singing. I don’t know if you noticed but there was even a new band member on stage (although one review cruelly referred to her as a toy piano. Shame on you.)

Anyway, that’s all for now, onwards to Auckland. I’ll keep you updated along the way with photos, stories and videos of any tour shenanigans, there is already talk of skydiving! Let’s see how that one pans out.

Until next time, Adieu

X