Glastonbury fans left unimpressed over ‘boring’ Arctic Monkeys performance

The Arctic Monkeys have just played their long-anticipated set at Glastonbury this year in what is the third time they've headlined the iconic festival.

We've known for a while they were going to get the all-important final slot on the Pyramid stage on Friday (23 June) night.

They were top of the bill even if much of the attention was focused on deducing who exactly a mystery band on the list were.

Sadly, though, many fans were seemingly left disappointed by the band's Glasto return.

BBC

Many have flocked to social media to discuss the performance with fellow Glasto fans.

One person wrote: "Alex turner has fallen in love with his own vocals here it seems. Won’t let the crowd sing at the normal pace."

A second added: "Well done #arctic monkeys you have sent me to sleep #glastonbury2023."

Meanwhile, a third remarked: "The Arctic monkeys are a shadow of their former selves the audience are barely clapping. I'm not convinced this performance is a result of laryngitis ,they just don't seem very good tonight at #glastonbury2023," with a fourth adding: "Terrible Arctic Monkeys. Boring. Awful set. #ArcticMonkeys"

Twitter

Some fans did enjoy the set, though, with one Twitter user penning: "ugh arctic monkeys man 🥹 that was amazing to watch."

Their performance comes amid a fair few worries that the band wouldn't make it on the big day, having had to cancel a gig just a few days before Glastonbury.

They had been set to play in Dublin just a few days ago but lead singer Alex Turner was told to take some rest after being diagnosed with laryngitis, a swelling or irritation of the vocal cords.

With their lead singer incapacitated through illness just days before they were set to grace the Pyramid stage, there were plenty fearful the band would have to call their show off.

There was a 'backup plan' in place just in case the Arctic Monkeys had to cancel, as Glasto co-organiser Emily Eavis reassured music fans they were prepared for the possibility that Turner wasn't going to be well enough to perform.

She did say she was 'sure we're going to be alright' if the worst should happen, which some took to mean a surprise appearance from the Foo Fighters was on the cards even though they were actually on first as the secret identity behind the band 'The Churnups'.

Thankfully the backup plan wasn't needed as Eavis confirmed 'they're on' even if it did end up being 'a little close there for a minute'.

BBC

Tonight's performance included smash hits like '505', 'Mardy Bum' and 'Florescent Adolescent', though fans did all have a similar complaint about the famous tracks.

The band are the first headliners of this weekend's festivities, with Guns n Roses and Elton John set to take over the Pyramid Stage over the next couple of days, with Lizzo, Lewis Capaldi, Lil Nas X and Blondie also among those who will be entertaining the masses at the event.