DiS Preview: Arctic Monkeys live DVD

The myth-makingly shy Arctic Monkeys will release their live concert film ‘Arctic Monkeys at the Apollo’ on DVD on November 3rd and DiS got a sneaky watch of it last night.

Filmed at the Manchester Apollo, on the last show of their 2007 tour, and featuring an exclusive filmed introduction by the band, the film will be shown at specific Vue and other independent cinemas in the UK for one night only on Tuesday 14th October.

The film has been directed by Richard Ayoade who (though now famous for playing Maurice Moss in the IT Crowd) is responsible many great music videos: including the Arctic’s 'Fluorescent Adolescent' as well as The Last Shadow Puppets’ 'Standing next to Me'. More info can be found here: arcticmonkeysattheapollo.com

Them's the facts, DiS' Ash Akhtar was at the press preview last night and here's his report:

"The 20 songs comprising the 76 minute show are beautifully captured on 16mm film. The artwork, colours and stylings are all reminiscent of the 1968 film, The Thomas Crown Affair, and even the title of the film echoes James Brown’s iconic 1962 recording Live at the Apollo.

When seen on the big screen, audience involvement is so intense; it is hard to resist spontaneously clapping along with the audience at the end of each song. However, no matter how meticulously and skilfully shot a film is, and though the performances of both Alex Turner and Matt Helders are of notable attention, no film can hide the shortcomings of its content (or rather, the concept of watching a recording of a live gig).

With the first eight songs passing wondrously by, the thrill rapidly dissipates rendering the film as an exercise of style over substance – albeit a first-rate exercise."

For those curious of what the set-list was, it was as follows.

1. Brianstorm
2. This House is a Circus
3. Teddy Picker
4. I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor
5. Dancing Shoes
6. From the Ritz to the Rubble
7. Fake Tales of San Francisco
8. When the Sun Goes Down
9. Nettles
10. D is for Dangerous
11. Leave Before the Light Come On
12. Fluorescent Adolescent
13. Still Take You Home
14. Da Frame 2R
15. Plastic Tramp
16. 505
17. Do Me a Favour
18. A Certain Romance
19. The View From The Afternoon
20. If You Were There, Beware

DiScuss: do you like live DVDs? What's your favourite music DVD?