These Arctic Monkeys photos make us nostalgic for the 00s

15 September 2020, 19:00

Let’s look back at Alex Turner, Matt Helders and the rest of the Monkeys from their earliest years. Don’t you wish it was still 2005?

1. Arctic Monkeys in September 2005

   

   The band before they released their first single, I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor: Andy Nicholson, Matt Helders, Jamie Cook and Alex Turner.

2. Paradiso, Amsterdam, 1 November 2005

   

   A mere couple of weeks after the release of I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, the band ventured to Amsterdam. Their debut single was the second song they played, after opening with The View From The Afternoon.

3. Reading Festival, 27 August 2005

   

   “Don’t believe the hype, Reading,” said Alex Turner as he opened the band’s first appearance at the festival - this was at the tiny Carling tent, sandwiched between Mystery Jets and Dogs (remember them?).

4. Arctic Monkeys live in Amsterdam, 2006

   

   Another trip to the Netherlands - look at how tiny that stage is!

5. The original line-up of Arctic Monkeys

   

   The original line-up - featuring original bassist Andy Nicholson on the far right. Those haircuts are brutal.

6. The Hoodie Years

   

   Turner plays a showcase at South By SouthWest in Austin, March 2006

7. Maximum Matt Helders

   

   The Arctic Monkeys drummer leans in for a backing vocal at the Lowlands Festival in August 2006.

8. Arctic Monkeys live in London, 2006

   

   Alex headlines the Forum in London, 24 August 2006. That weekend, the band would be second on the bill on the main stage at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.

9. Arctic Monkeys at the NME Awards, 2006

   

   The band head to their first NME Awards event on 23 February 2006, They won Best British Band, Best New Band and Best Track.

10. Arctic Monkeys win the 2006 Mercury Music Prize

    

    The band walked off with the Best British Album Of The Year, beating Muse and Thom Yorke at the ceremony in London.