After five years, Arctic Monkeys are on the verge of releasing their sixth studio album.
On January 29th, they teased new artwork on their Instagram page, alongside European tour dates.
We’re pleased to announce our 2018 festival dates. Details via link in bio.
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They're playing a whole bunch of festivals including Sziget, Primavera Sound & Firefly. You can see every festival they're playing here.
On Sunday March 4th, the lads announced European headline shows, with support from Cameron Avery (of Tame Impala, Pond and The Growl). They're playing Berlin, Rome, Milan & more. No sign of an Irish date...yet.
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So, given that it's been five years and there's a tour and a new snazzy logo, there's obviously a new album on the (very near) horizon.
We know that this album has been in the making for at least a year and a bit. The lads sparked new album rumours back at Christmas of 2016 when they were spotted in Sheffield together.
Arctic Monkeys spotted at Sheffield, sparking rumours that they have started work on their new album. #ArcticMonkeys pic.twitter.com/jq1l2nlB9Q
— Lemonbeats (@LemonbeatsCHNL) December 22, 2016
In between 2013 and now, the lads have been working on their own side projects as well as working on a new Arctic Monkeys record.
Frontman Alex Turner released his second album with Miles Kane as 'The Last Shadow Puppets' and went on tour.
Meanwhile, Matt Helders was working with Iggy Pop on his album Post Pop Depression.
Back in August 2017, Matt Helders kept hope alive among fans, when he gave an update about the new album.
A fan by the name of Will Franco met Matt at a Royal Blood gig at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, and asked him about it. Matt said 'hopefully by the end of the year'. However, we guess it wasn't ready.
Bassist Nick O'Malley has also chimed in on the new album. Speaking to website For The Ride, the article claimed that "Nick found time for the track day before recording began on the eagerly anticipated sixth album, started at a secret location in September. The new album will be out next year because 'if it isn’t, we’ve got problems'."
One fan, William Hann met Alex Turner this week on March 5th and Alex said first single from the new album is coming 'soon'.
@ArcticMonkeysUS just met Al again. I can confirm the beard remains, but he gave away nothing about UK dates and said the single would be “soon” 🤷ðŸ»â™‚ï¸ pic.twitter.com/WY6DEzBgGc
— William Hann (@williamhann86) March 5, 2018
We're ready for it lads. C'mon and put us out of our misery.
