Arctic Monkeys are an English rock band formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield. The band consists of Alex Turner (lead vocals, rhythm/lead guitar), Matt Helders (drums, vocals), Jamie Cook (lead/rhythm guitar) and Nick O'Malley (bass, backing vocals). Former band member Andy Nicholson (bass guitar, backing vocals) left the band in 2006 shortly after their debut album was released.
The band has released seven albums. Their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006), garnered widespread critical acclaim and swiftly ascended to the top of the UK Albums Chart. It set a record as the fastest-selling debut album in British chart history at the time. The album won the Best British Album award at the 2007 Brit Awards and has since earned recognition as one of the finest debut albums in music history. The follow-up, Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007), also received acclaim from critics and secured the Best British Album title at the 2008 Brit Awards.
Subsequent releases, Humbug (2009) and Suck It and See (2011), were well-received by critics, although not matching the immense success of their first two albums. The fifth album, AM (2013), propelled the band to international fame, earning critical acclaim and topping four Billboard charts. It achieved 3x platinum certification in the US and was honored as British Album of the Year at the 2014 Brit Awards. The sixth album, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018), marked a significant departure from the band's previous guitar-heavy style, embracing a more piano-oriented sound.
Their seventh album, The Car, released in 2022, garnered nominations for the Ivor Novello Awards and the Mercury Prize in 2023. At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, it received a nomination for Best Alternative Music Album, marking the band's third overall in that category and their second consecutive nod following Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.
History[]
Early years and record deal (2002-2005)[]
Arctic Monkeys, formed in mid-2002 by friends Alex Turner, Matt Helders, Andy Nicholson, and later joined by Jamie Cook, originated their name from Helders' dad's 1970s band. Initially an instrumental-only group, Turner eventually became the lead singer. The band's journey began with rehearsals at Yellow Arch Studios, leading to their first gig in June 2003. They recorded demos, later known as Beneath the Boardwalk, and gained popularity across northern England, supported by a growing online presence on MySpace.
In May 2005, they independently released the EP Five Minutes with Arctic Monkeys, featuring "Fake Tales of San Francisco" and "From the Ritz to the Rubble." The band's success caught the attention of Domino Records, and in June 2005, they signed with the label. Contrary to rumors, they denied a reported £1 million publishing deal with EMI and a £725,000 contract with Epic Records. Their debut single, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor," released in October 2005, soared to No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. The band's rapid rise, achieved with minimal marketing, sparked discussions about a new era in how bands gain recognition.
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006)[]
The band completed recording their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, in January 2006 at Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire, produced by Jim Abbiss. The album broke records as the fastest-selling debut in UK chart history, with 363,735 copies sold in the first week, surpassing the previous record held by Hear'Say. The cover featuring Chris McClure smoking drew criticism for promoting smoking.
Released in the US in February 2006, the album entered at No. 24 on the Billboard chart, selling 34,000 units in the first week. Despite reserved US critics, their North American tour in June 2006 garnered acclaim, proving the band's hype justified. The album achieved Gold status in the US in 2017, and in the UK, NME ranked it the "5th greatest British album of all time." The band won three fan-voted awards at the 2006 NME Awards.
Arctic Monkeys quickly released the EP Who the Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys? in April 2006. Despite its ineligibility to chart as a UK single or album, it received less radio airplay due to graphic language. Some criticized the release as "money-grabbing," but the band emphasized their commitment to releasing new music to avoid boredom.
Following the EP's release, bassist Andy Nicholson left the band due to fatigue and the challenges of fame. Nick O'Malley, initially a temporary replacement, became the permanent bassist. The band's first release without Nicholson, the single "Leave Before the Lights Come On," peaked at No. 4 in the UK. At the Leeds Festival, Nicholson reunited with the band, except for the award ceremony where they won the 2006 Mercury Prize.
Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)[]
The band's second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, dropped on 23 April 2007, a week after the release of the single "Brianstorm." Following in its predecessor's footsteps, the album swiftly claimed the No. 1 spot on the album charts. Turner characterized the songs as "very different from last time," with a more intense vibe akin to tracks like "From the Ritz to the Rubble" and "The View from the Afternoon." A secret gig in Sheffield debuted seven new songs from the album, receiving positive early reviews for being "very, very fast and very, very loud."
Amidst worldwide recognition, the band won numerous awards, including Best New Artist at the PLUG Independent Music Awards in the US, Album of the Year in Japan, Ireland, and the US, and Best Album and Best Music DVD for the short film "Scummy Man" at the 2007 NME Awards. They concluded the year by securing Best British Band and Best British Album at the 2008 BRIT Awards, with a second consecutive Mercury Prize nomination.
On 29 April 2007, when Favourite Worst Nightmare topped the UK Albums Chart, all 12 tracks from the album charted in the Top 200 of the UK Singles Chart. The band released "Fluorescent Adolescent" as a single, reaching No. 5. The third single, "Teddy Picker," charted at No. 20. The album sold 227,993 copies in its first week, going straight to No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart. By September 2013, it had sold over 821,000 copies in the UK, earning 3× platinum by 2018. In the US, the album debuted at number seven, selling approximately 44,000 copies in its first week.
Arctic Monkeys headlined the Glastonbury Festival in June 2007, performing with Dizzee Rascal and Simian Mobile Disco. They played a major gig at Dublin's Malahide Castle, two sell-out shows at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester, and two London gigs at Alexandra Palace. The band's shows at the 55,000 capacity Old Trafford Cricket Ground were hailed as 'the gigs of a generation,' cementing their status as the defining band of their era. The tour concluded with a filmed performance at Manchester Apollo for the live album and video release "At the Apollo," released in cinemas the following year.
Humbug (2008-2009)[]
Following a brief hiatus, during which Turner toured and recorded with his side project, The Last Shadow Puppets, the band commenced recording their next album. Half of the album took shape at Rancho De La Luna recording sessions with Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age in early autumn 2008, while the other half was recorded during New York sessions with James Ford in spring 2009, following their January tour of New Zealand and Australia. Lead single "Crying Lightning," along with other Humbug songs, made their live debut during this tour.
Matt Helders later revealed that the album, initially planned to consist of 14 tracks, was eventually narrowed down to 10. A preview article on Clash praised the band for defying expectations and exploring new depths, with Turner's songwriting described as eloquent, potent, and profound. The band drew inspiration from artists like Nick Cave, Jimi Hendrix, and Cream for the album titled Humbug, released on 19 August 2009, and, like its predecessors, quickly claimed the No. 1 spot.
The first single from Humbug, "Crying Lightning," was released on 6 July, debuting at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. The second single, "Cornerstone," followed on 16 November 2009, with the third and final single, "My Propeller," released on 22 March. In support of the Teenage Cancer Trust, the band performed a one-off UK show at the Royal Albert Hall on 27 March.
Arctic Monkeys kicked off the worldwide Humbug Tour in January 2009, headlining the 2009 Reading and Leeds Festivals. The tour showcased songs from Humbug, along with older tracks and a cover of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' "Red Right Hand." In North America, where they had a smaller following, they played shortened sets at festivals such as Osheaga and All Points West. The tour concluded in early 2010 in Mexico.
Suck It And See (2011-2012)[]
In May 2011, NME reported that the band was reuniting with producer James Ford, aiming to release their fourth studio album in late spring at the earliest. According to Q magazine, the new album would be more accessible than Humbug, described as a sound that "draws back the curtains and lets the sunshine in." Recorded in Sound City Studios in Los Angeles in 2010 and 2011, the album, titled Suck It and See, was officially revealed on 10 March 2011 and released on 6 June 2011.
The album's first single, "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair," was released digitally on 12 April, with a vinyl version including "Brick by Brick" on 16 April for Record Store Day. It reached No. 28 in the UK Singles Chart on 17 April. The album, allowing fans to preview it on the band's website before purchase, debuted at No. 1 in the album charts, making Arctic Monkeys the second band in history to achieve four consecutive No. 1 album debuts.
"The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala" was announced as the second single, and despite most of the stock being burned during the London riots, a limited edition 7" Vinyl was released in August 2011. The band also released a live EP on iTunes featuring recordings from the iTunes Festival in London. Commercially successful, the album sold over 82,000 units in its first week and a total of 333,000 units. While NME criticized the album cover, Mojo awarded it Best Album of 2011.
Embarking on the Suck It and See Tour in May 2011, the band headlined various festivals, including Benicàssim Festival, Oxegen, Super Bock Super Rock, V Festival, Rock Werchter, and T in The Park. They played homecoming shows in Sheffield in June and appeared at Lollapalooza in August. The tour continued until March 2012, and in October 2011, they released a music video for "Evil Twin." The fourth single from Suck It and See, "Black Treacle," was released in January 2012, followed by a North American stadium tour supporting the Black Keys in March.
AM and rise to fame (2013-2016)[]
On February 26, 2012, the band unveiled a new track titled "R U Mine?" on their YouTube channel. By March 4, it had reached No. 23 on the UK Singles Chart based on downloads alone. On April 21, the song was officially released as a single, featuring "Electricity" as a B-side, with an additional release for Record Store Day. On July 27, Arctic Monkeys participated in the London Summer Olympics opening ceremony, performing "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and covering the Beatles' "Come Together."
The AM Tour kicked off on May 22, 2013, at the Ventura Theatre in Ventura, California, where they introduced a new song titled "Do I Wanna Know?" The band continued with performances at various festivals, debuting another track, "Mad Sounds," at the Hultsfred Festival in Sweden on June 14. The official video for "Do I Wanna Know?" was released on June 18, accompanying its entry at No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart. The album, titled AM, was released on September 9, 2013, featuring recordings from Rancho de la Luna in Joshua Tree, California, with guest appearances by Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, Pete Thomas, and Bill Ryder-Jones. The band embarked on an eight-date UK arena tour, concluding with a homecoming gig at the Motorpoint Arena Sheffield.
AM received widespread critical acclaim, achieving a Metacritic score of 81 based on 36 reviews. It debuted at No. 1 on the UK album charts, selling over 157,000 copies in its first week. Arctic Monkeys made history as the first independent label band with five consecutive No. 1 albums in the UK. The album won the Brit Award for Best British Album and brought the band their third Mercury Prize nomination.
In the United States, AM sold 42,000 copies in its first week, debuting at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking the band's highest-charting album in the country. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA in August 2017. Turner described AM as the band's "most original yet," blending hip-hop drum beats with 1970s heavy rock. The album features experimentation with unusual lyrics, including lines from the poem "I Wanna Be Yours" by John Cooper Clarke. The song "Arabella" is highlighted as an effective fusion of the album's two main styles. In May 2014, Arctic Monkeys performed one of their largest shows to date at Finsbury Park, followed by headlining the Reading and Leeds Festival in August. The band's hiatus was announced in August 2014, with members pursuing other projects, such as Turner's second album with The Last Shadow Puppets and Helders playing drums on Iggy Pop's album "Post Pop Depression." In 2016, the band contributed to a charity project by unveiling an elephant sculpture in the style of their AM album cover, raising funds for the Sheffield Children's Hospital arts trail.
Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2017-2021)[]
In December 2016, Turner confirmed to BBC Radio Sheffield that the band's hiatus had concluded, and the work had commenced on their sixth studio album. Recording for the album commenced in September 2017, with the final product, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, being released on May 11, 2018. The band headlined various festivals during the summer of 2018, including Firefly Music Festival, TRNSMT, Rock Werchter, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits Music Festival, and the Voodoo Experience. Despite its divergent stylistic approach, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino received generally positive reviews, marking the band's sixth consecutive number-one debut in the UK and becoming the country's fastest-selling vinyl record in 25 years. The album was promoted through the singles "Four Out of Five" and "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino," along with multiple television appearances.
Reflektor Magazine offered the following perspective in their review: "After five years of silence, the Arctic Monkeys make their much-awaited return with surprising and hypnotic Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino. Perfectly managing to avoid self-parody or stylistic repetitions, this new album appears as a startling reinvention, a meandering and puzzling journey beyond known territories. Just like mankind first set foot on the moon on the 'Tranquility base' site, the Arctic Monkeys disembark in an unknown universe in which they reveal a new, unexpected aspect of themselves."
Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino earned a nomination for the 2018 Mercury Prize, making it the band's fourth nomination and the second most nominations received by any act. The album also received a nomination for Best Alternative Music Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, with the single "Four Out of Five" nominated for Best Rock Performance. Additionally, the album featured prominently on various year-end lists, with Q and Kitty Empire of The Observer naming it the best album of 2018. Numerous publications, including NME, The Independent, and Mojo, ranked it among the top albums of the year. A live album from their 2018 Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino Tour, titled Live at the Royal Albert Hall, was released on December 4, 2020, with all proceeds benefiting the charity War Child.
The Car (2022-Today)[]
On December 8, 2021, the band was unveiled as the co-headliner for Saturday at the 2022 Reading and Leeds Festival, sharing the spotlight with Bring Me the Horizon, Megan Thee Stallion, Rage Against the Machine, and Halsey. Their new song, "I Ain't Quite Where I Think I Am," made its debut on August 23, 2022, at the Zurich Openair festival. The subsequent day marked the announcement of their seventh studio album, titled The Car, set for release on October 21, 2022. On August 30, 2022, they dropped the album's first single, "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball," accompanied by a music video directed by Turner. The second single, Body Paint, hit the airwaves on September 29, 2022. The third single, "I Ain't Quite Where I Think I Am," was released on October 18, 2022. Despite reaching No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart, The Car trailed behind Taylor Swift's Midnights. In the US, the album secured the sixth spot on the Billboard 200.
In June 2023, it was officially announced that the band would headline the Pyramid Stage on Friday night at the Glastonbury Festival, even though Alex Turner had been diagnosed with laryngitis. The announcement followed the cancellation of a Dublin gig earlier in the week.
Band members[]
Current members[]
- Alex Turner – lead vocals, lead guitar (2002–present), keyboards (2006–2009, 2017–present), auxiliary percussion (2005–2006)
- Matt Helders – drums, percussion, backing and occasional lead vocals (2002–present), keyboards (2017–present)
- Jamie Cook – rhythm guitar (2002–present), keyboards (2018–present), lap steel (2017–2019), backing vocals (2002–2007)
- Nick O'Malley – bass guitar, backing vocals (2006–present)
Former members[]
- Andy Nicholson – bass guitar, backing vocals (2002–2006)
Current touring musicians[]
- Scott Gillies – guitar (2013–present), lap steel guitar (2018–2019), keyboards (2012–2014, 2022-present)
- Tom Rowley – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2013–present), lap steel guitar (2018–present), percussion (2013–2014)
- Davey Latter – percussion (2013–present)
- Tyler Parkford – keyboards, backing vocals (2018–present)
Former touring musicians[]
- John Ashton – keyboards, backing vocals (2009–2011), guitar, percussion (2009–2010)
- Ben Partons – keyboards (2011–2012)
Discography[]
- Main article: Arctic Monkeys discography
Studio albums[]
- Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006)
- Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
- Humbug (2009)
- Suck It and See (2011)
- AM (2013)
- Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018)
- The Car (2022)
Concert tours[]
- Whatever People Say I Am Tour (2005–2006)
- Favourite Worst Nightmare Tour (2007–2008)
- Humbug Tour (2009–2010)
- Suck It and See Tour (2011–2012)
- AM Tour (2013–2014)
- Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino Tour (2018–2019)
- The Car Tour (2022–2023)
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