Arctic Monkeys at the Santa Barbara Bowl

Arctic Monkeys performed at the Santa Barbara Bowl on Oct. 19. The last time I saw Alex Turner and his crew they looked like they were walking the streets in Hell’s Kitchen NYC, leather jackets slicked back hair, a West Side Story scene. This tour Alex Turner had a shaved head, clean cut, suit on and a whole new sound. Aiming towards the Cohen, Bowie or Lou Reed generation their new album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, is risky compared to the indie rock albums Suck it and See and AM Tour which was moving away from the indie/punk sound.

Starting with “Star Treatment,” Alex Turner at the piano he was telling us that he has moved on “I just wanted to be one of The Strokes, Now look at the mess you made me make, Hitchhiking with a monogrammed suitcase”. The Arctic Monkeys have moved onto a higher level of communication and music. A much more confident style not fighting to be heard.

Alex Turner moved to the center of the stage with his beautiful red 12 string Vox guitar around his neck, my eyes opened up, as he started to shred his 12 string.

Mini Mansions opened up for the Arctic Monkeys, and was a great surprise. Mini Mansions are made up of Zach Dawes, Tyler Parkford, and Queens of the Stone Age bassist Michael Shuman. You can see a bit of QOTSA in the lighting and their stage presence.