Arctic Monkeys In Manchester

Manchester rolled back the years last night to the days of Oasis and the Stone Roses as the city played host to two super groups of modern music.

It was a case of rock versus pop as the Arctic Monkeys faced Take That in a city well versed in rivalries.

20,000 short-sleeved fans rammed the re-furnished GMEX Centre on Tuesday night. From the outside, the GMEX looks like New Yorks Grand Central Station. Inside, acoustically it sounds like Thomas and friends.

The expectant crowd was ready to be entertained. Every bloke wants to be Alex on lead guitar and every girl wants to be his current squeeze, T4 beauty Alexa Cheung.

MTV.co.uk managed to get back stage prior to the gig to the inner sanctum of Planet Arctic Monkeys. Here we didnt find empty Jack Daniels bottles or groupies tucking into the Calpol a la Winehouse but instead an indoor football pitch and FIFA 08 on the Xbox 360.

The Arctic Monkeys really are just normal blokes that like football, music and computer games. There refreshing honesty is no doubt a reason for their global success. Whilst the set is faultless and as polished as any live set youll see, the band look tired and ready to end what has been a sapping tour in Aberdeen next week.

But you still get the best band in the country delivering clever and simple lyrics with some of the finest guitarmanship in modern music. The crowd and band finally erupted with the fourth song- a rendition of I bet you look good on the dance floor.

Whatever People Say I Am, Thats what Im Not is still the crowds favourite with anthems such as Dancing Shoes and When the Sun Goes Down breaking the crowd out in full chorus. The new album fails to really ignite the audience apart from hits such as Teddy Picker and This House is a Circus.

Musically the boys are on form throughout this performance. After 11 months of touring though the boys are tired and ready for their Christmas breaks. They certainly deserve it.

WRITTEN BY DAN FRENCH