News

Arctic Monkeys have announced their first show of 2018, but everything else is just plain confusing

There’s real news, and there’s fake news.

By Stephen Ackroyd January 11, 2018

It wouldn’t be a big band comeback if there wasn’t a bit of drama. Arctic Monkeys are definitely ‘back’ – but what exactly is going on is causing confusion en mass.

It kicked off earlier this morning, when a now deleted Reddit post claimed the band posted an enigmatic video to their Instagram story earlier today. So much, so tease-y. But what’s contained within is enough to cause some serious running about and waving of arms, if you’re a fan of the Sheffield foursome.

The clip contained what appeared to be a series of dates and co-ordinates. We know that, because one of them marries up to the location of the US based Firefly festival. Shortly after the video appeared, Arctic Monkeys were confirmed in the event’s line-up announcement.

Another of those dates gives a location in London, and tomorrow’s date. SOUND THE ALARMS, right? Other co-ordinates married up with Mad Cool Festival, Primavera Sound and Rock Werchter, alongside others.

But, shortly after this appeared, doubt started to set in. Users on Reddit claimed the video hadn’t appeared in their Instagram story from the band, while others claimed it as a confirmed fake. With one of the suggested events turning out to be correct, however, others remain convinced there’s something in it.

The anticipation is at an all time high as we know we’re getting a new album from the band at some point soonish. Bassist Nick O’Malley confirmed back in September they were recording for a 2018 release, because ā€˜if it isnā€™t, weā€™ve got problemsā€™. They’ve been heavily rumoured to be playing Glasgow’s TRNSMT festival, too.

So, could the Arctic Monkeys be back tomorrow? Not a clue. But they’re definitely playing Firefly festival. Listen to Anton Du Beke’s cover of ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor’ to calm yourself down, eh?