An Arctic Monkeys tribute act have spoken to NME about the “pretty special” feeling of playing their new song ‘Opening Night‘ before the band themselves. Check out footage below.
The Sheffield indie icons surprised fans last month with the release of the lead single from the upcoming star-studded ‘Help(2)’ charity album in aid of War Child. However, with the track currently something of a one-off and with the band inactive in terms of touring and with no live plans, leading tribute act Antarctic Monkeys gave ‘Opening Night’ a live debut of sorts when they headlined O2 Academy in Leeds.
“It feels pretty special to be the first band to play the track live,” frontman Dean Reynolds told NME. “Obviously Arctic Monkeys came together to record it for a great cause with Warchild and the ‘Help(2)’ album, however I think it could be some time before they take to the stage with it.
“In a way it was inevitable that we would be the first band to play it to a live audience.”
Reynolds continued: “We played it midway through our set without any announcement. Initially the crowd were a little reserved. I think people are still unsure of the verse lyrics. Once the chorus kicked in though that all changed and they sang along as loudly as they would to any other Monkeys classic.
“It has received great reaction on our socials so hopefully we did a good take on it for its first live performance. I think it’ll be a great live track for us and will be a permanent fixture in our future set lists for sure.”
The Wolverhampton band, who have been known as the leading Monkeys tribute act for 20 years now, said that they all love the new song” and have “had it on repeat pretty much since it came out”.
“We wanted to learn it and get it in the set straight away,” Reynolds continued. “Catchy guitar riff, superb harmonies, great sing along chorus! It’s Arctic Monkeys… what’s not to like!”
While fan speculation and online rumours swirled around the future of the band, Monkeys drummer Matt Helders said they felt “the itch” to create something after 2022’s ‘The Car‘, stressed that they “will always” make music, and hasn’t ruled out more new material.
Without revealing any specific plans for what’s next, he also downplayed the chances of a live show around the release of ‘Help(2)’.
As a natural Monkeys superfan, Reynolds said that was unsure if the track marked a taster of things to come from Alex Turner and co, or how long the wait could be for new material.
“Who can say?” he went on. “They’re forever changing with each release and as musicians and music fans ourselves, we really admire the progression and shifts in direction they take on each album.
“As far as them getting back into the studio, I’d like to think that the recording of ‘Opening Night’ has ignited the urge to record more material, however, I think it’ll be a while yet before we see them all back together on a stage.”
With Arctic Monkeys currently off the road with no current plans to return any time soon, Reynolds said that demand for their renowned tribute show remained as high as ever.
“Over the past year or so we’ve seen a huge increase in attendance at our shows, and the average age of the crowd is getting younger year on year,” the frontman revealed. “I can’t see their popularity ever fading and I think there’ll be plenty of demand for Arctic Monkeys music to be heard live for a long time to come.
“As for being in a tribute band, opinions can be divided, especially when a band means as much to people as Arctic Monkeys do. But we’re also fans first and foremost, just like everyone else. We’re incredibly lucky to be able to perform a set of their iconic songs week in, week out to sold-out audiences across the UK and even internationally with a tour of Australia scheduled for July.
“We don’t have an album to promote so we tailor our set list to include all the banging tunes and album classics so there’s something for every Arctic Monkeys fan to appreciate.”
Reynolds added: “You can’t take yourselves too seriously in a tribute band, but we take the musicianship and stage show very seriously. Our aim is always to deliver a performance that does the songs justice and keeps fans coming back for more.
“It’s fun and it’s accessible to everybody as we play regular shows in towns and cities all over. And while Arctic Monkeys take time away from touring, we’re happy to keep giving the fans the next best live experience.”
Antarctic Monkeys will be touring the UK throughout the year, as well as dates in Australia in July. Their next show will be at the O2 Academy in Bournemouth on Saturday February 7. Visit here for tickets, live dates and more information.
War Child’s ‘Help(2)’ will be released on Friday March 6 via War Child Records and is available for pre-order here.
Executive produced and helmed by longtime Monkeys collaborator James Ford, the record also features the likes of Damon Albarn, English Teacher, Young Fathers, Fontaines D.C., Geese frontman Cameron Winter, Depeche Mode, Foals, Olivia Rodrigo, Pulp, The Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg, and many more. Check out the full tracklist and release details here.
War Child works to protect, educate, and support the mental health of children affected by war – and comes at a time of conflicts in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, Syria and beyond.
“When James Ford called and asked if we’d contribute to the ‘HELP(2)’ album we set to work on a song idea and assembled in Abbey Road to record it,” said Arctic Monkeys in a press release of the Loren Humphrey-produced ‘Opening Night’. “We are proud to support the invaluable work War Child do and hope the record will make a positive difference to the lives of children affected by war.”
‘Help(2)’ follows more than 30 years from the original and legendary Brian Eno-led 1995 ‘Help’ album that featured Oasis, Blur, Radiohead, Orbital, Portishead, Massive Attack, Suede, Sinéad O’Connor, Manic Street Preachers, The Boo Radleys and more. That album raised over £1.25million and sold over 700,000 copies, and was followed by other charity records including 2002’s ‘1 Love’, 2003’s ‘Hope’, 2005’s ‘Help!: A Day in the Life’ and 2009’s ‘War Child Presents Heroes’.
