Arctic Monkeys: Alex Turner and Sheffield bandmates return to the stage for the first time since 2019 in Istanbul

The popular Sheffield formed rock band, the Arctic Monkeys, finally made their return to the stage last night for the first time since 2019.

On the evening of Tuesday, August 9, Alex Turner and Co performed live in Istanbul, Turkey to thousands of fans. The band performed the first of two nights at the Zorlu Center PSM in the Turkish city, and are due to head to Bulgaria, Croatia and Czech Republic after the Turkish gigs.

During the gig last night, the band performed many of their classics that are known and popular globally, including ‘Do I wanna Know’, ‘Snap Out of It’ and ‘Potion Approaching’ as part of the 21-song gig.

Fans took to Twitter and other social medias to react to seeing the band play for the first time in three years.

Venus said on Twitter: “Arctic Monkeys was just amazing… I can’t believe i watched them live.” @Turksmoak was also at the event, and was even more excited that she was close to the stage, and frontman Alex Turner: “i cant believe i was THIS close to him.”

Others turned their attention to the upcoming tours, with user @hardythor excited to see the band in Prague: “i cant believe that im seeing ARCTIC MONKEYS in PRAGUE, shut up.”

Fans now wait in anticipation for news on a new Arctic Monkeys album following their latest tour. Last year, drummer Matt Helders spoke to a BBC interviewer during TV weatherman Owain Wyn Evans’ 24-hour Drumathon for Children in Need.

On the new album being revealed, Matt Helders said: “I think by the time we get everything together it’ll be next year.

"It was a bit disjointed how we had to do it, and there are bits to finish off, but yeah, it’s all in the works.”

With the Sheffield band now out on tour in Europe, fans of the Arctic Monkeys are hopeful the album, or new music from the band will be released or revealed this year.

The last album released by the Arctic Monkeys was Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino in 2018.