Arctic Monkeys just played a bunch of new tunes at their first show of 2018

Written by Tyler Jenke on 3rd May, 2018

If you’re anything like us, you’re probably stoked at the prospect of the Arctic Monkeys’ first album in five years, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, being released in just a matter of days. But your excitement levels are about to go into overdrive with the group having previewed a bunch of new songs while playing their first show of the year.

On Wednesday night, the Arctic Monkeys hit up The Observatory in San Diego, California to perform their first show of 2018 (and first full-band performance since 2014). In addition to playing a bunch of fan favourites, including ‘Brianstorm’ and ‘505’, the group took the opportunity to premiere a slew of new songs for the eager crowd.

According to fan-shot footage of the gig, the group’s new material shows them exploring new territory, while staying true to the sounds that made them the beloved favourites that they are today.

This is I believe #startreatment. This was my fave part @strangedaysindeed thank you #alexturner #arcticmonkeys #am #am6 #nickomalley #jamiecook #matthelders ps. Is cute when he cusses
A post shared by Alex Turner (@arctic_shadowpuppets) on May 2, 2018 at 11:26pm PDT

New Song "One Point Perspective" from tonight's first show in San Diego #arcticmonkeys #alexturner #jamiecook #onepointperspective #tranquilitybasehotelandcasino #tbhc #matthelders #nickomalley credit: @strangedaysindeed
A post shared by Suck It and See (@alexyouturnermeon) on May 2, 2018 at 11:21pm PDT

Fans were also treated to a number of surprises in the evening, including a guest appearance on ‘Four Out Of Five’ and ‘She Looks Like Fun’ from Cam Avery of Pond and Tame Impala, the first live performance of ‘The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala’ since 2013, and the live debut of AM cut ‘You’re So Dark’.

pic.twitter.com/4BorXk6mCY
— Arctic Monkeys US (@ArcticMonkeysUS) May 3, 2018

Arctic Monkeys’ Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino is set to be released on May 11th, and if these new songs are anything to go by, this is going to be a pretty big contender for album of the year. Now all we have to do is get them down to Australia for that long-overdue tour.

Arctic Monkeys @ The Observatory, San Diego, California 02/05/18

‘The View From The Afternoon’

‘Brianstorm’

‘Crying Lightning’

‘Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair’

‘Do I Wanna Know?’

‘Four Out Of Five’ (with Cameron Avery) (Live debut)

‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor’

‘505’

‘Cornerstone’

‘The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala’

‘Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?’

‘One Point Perspective’ (Live debut)

‘American Sports’ (Live debut)

‘Arabella’

‘Snap Out Of It’

‘You’re So Dark’ (Live debut)

‘One For The Road’