The country’s premier Monkeys tribute act descended on Manchester late last month: the band are Sheffield natives, and offer the chance to experience the heft of Arctic Monkeys in a much more intimate setting.
Howl are granted access to the Numpties dressing room pre-show, and the band are all in the throes of show prep. Different elements of meal deals are strewn around the room as the band unzips their show-clothes from suit bags hung on doors. Their ‘Alex Turner’, Ben Curry, strides about the dressing room, already suited and booted - he explains how his outfit is matched to Turner’s latest wardrobe (tonight he mirrors The Car era AT), and Curry’s barnet is even a close match to the real deal. His copy Epiphone Coronet adorns the green room wall: the man even has a Turner-esque gold chain around his neck.
Support acts and stage managers rush in and out of the backstage room, but there is a certain aura of calm around the numpties. They’re mid-tour, and are pros at this sort of thing by now, and as the band sip bottles of European lager, with rollies tucked behind their ears, it’s difficult not to get wrapped up in the occasion, as each member strides out of the back room dressed as their counterpart band member. Before too long, and following two fabulous support acts it’s go time for the Numpties. Curry, hands on hips, strides around the small backstage area belting out ‘The Ultracheese’ as a final vocal warm-up (earlier he confided his love for Monkey’s later work “it’s all we’d play if it were up to me”). His Cuban heels clack on the tiled floor in time to the Tranquility Base ballad, as the wider band hype themselves up.
The band stride onto the stage triumphantly, inhabiting their Monkey alter egos with great effect. Arctic Numpties rattle through hit after hit after hit, and the crowd absolutely eat it up.It’s a mixed room, and there are fans kitted out in AM merch, indie lads, younger people and mums and dads alike, all grooving to the variety show of hits on display. The band sound fantastic, and they play with the passion and exuberance that can only be found deep within music fans. They are note perfect throughout, smashing cuts from each of the Monkey’s back catalogue.
The crowd responds in turn, and delighted at the prospect of getting to hear blockbuster tunes in a tiny space, dance and bounce with abandon. The night is a huge success, with their version of “Body Paint” as a total highpoint in the set. Tribute acts are often a very mixed bag, but Arctic Numpties are quite brilliant. They have a deep-set love and passion for the band, which really shines through in their live show.
