The Arctic Monkeys fan base have been proving that they haven’t gone off the boil as the midweek charts show they’ve been buying Suck It and See in their droves. What is likely to be a an extra bonus to many of them is that this move will also see Lady Gaga knocked off the top spot (based on anecdotal evidence we see little overlap between the two groups of fans).

Surprisingly though Gaga hasn’t just been bumped into second place, instead seeing a virtual sales collapse by her standards by slipping down to fourth place. This makes it a virtual certainty that Alex Turner’s band will be number one come the end of the week.

While Gaga can be excused for this as she sold so much in her first week, Coldplay’s new single, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, is languishing in fourth position in the singles charts. Instead Example is at number one and Pitbull at number two. Expect some rolling of the eyes from Coldplay fans.

Picture Courtesy of thetripwireny

Opening with the The Jeweller’s Hand – the final song on third album Humbug – it’s apparent that the band have mellowed somewhat since their earlier days. Instead of an explosive introduction their arrival on stage is somewhat subdued, with the band beginning the laid-back number behind a massive red curtain that slowly opens. It’s an effective opener, and the band waste no time in laying into their more famous tracks, such as first single I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor which sparks mass hysteria among the 11,000 plus crowd.

But it’s not just the album tracks which get an airing here, as recent b-side Sketchead (taken from recent single Cornerstone) is introduced as “one of our new songs”. As a song it’s difficult to place, and not one that you can see sitting alongside Crying Lightning and the aforementioned Cornerstone. It serves as more of a bridge between old and new, linking a wide gulf which is all the more evident in a live environment.

The raw The View From The Afternoon seems out-of-place in this new, mellower Monkeys set, while the seedy My Propeller and haunting synths of Pretty Visitors somehow suit the band more these days. Meanwhile, the tracks which are included from Favourite Worst Nightmare – 505, Brianstorm, Fluorescent Adolescent (complete with the end of Mardy Bum inserted halfway through) et al – sound fresher accompanied by Humbug. That said, When The Sun Goes Down arguably gets the most rousing reception of all as lead Monkey Alex Turner takes the reins to perform the introduction on his own – again inciting riots in the crowd when the song really kicks off.

It’s similar to the earlier scenario with I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor, making it look as if the majority of the audience are here for the select few songs from Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I Am Not that are performed tonight. The noise that greats Turner’s every word is deafening, and the finale – 505 – prompts nearly 20 people being hauled from the crowd by security staff.

By the end of their near hour and a half set Turner heads off, leaving the band to finish the song without him. It’s a strange ending, with many of the crowd unable to believe they’re not coming out for a second encore – but alas, the house lights come on and music pipes in over the PA. It’s not often that a band manages to keep up the quality for a entire set, but tonight Arctic Monkeys managed it in spectacular style.

Arctic Monkeys’ Humbug is nominated in our Album of 2009 vote.

Picture by thetripwirenyc

It will be released on November 16, and again the band will collaborate with Oxfam for the method of release.

Cornerstone was the obvious choice for the band, as lyrically it is the most recognisably Monkeys track on Humbug, their third studio release. It tells the tale of singer and main lyricist Alex Turner’s attempts to rid himself of his obsessional mooching over an ex-girlfriend by trying to get off with similar looking ladies, and joins Riot Van and Mardy Bum as one of their best ‘story’ songs.

The band head out on a UK arena tour in November.

The 7″ version will be sold solely through Oxfam charity shops from August 17  for £2.99 and fans are being encouraged to donate old records and other unwanted goods when they go to purchase their copy. It will be backed by a cover of the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds track Red Right Hand.

The 10″ version will be available on the same date from other record shops – if your town is still lucky enough to have one – and will be backed by new track I Haven’t Got My Strange.

Fans that buy either version will be entitled to free MP3 downloads of the songs.

The new Monkeys album, Humbug, will be released a week later on August 24. Watch out for the TMM review coming soon.