To many, Sheffield gang Arctic Monkeys went off the boil around the time of their last album. They grew their hair long, started hanging out with Queens Of The Stone Age, and decamped to the desert to, like, totally find themselves, yeah?

The ensuing album - ‘Humbug’ - was a wash of fuzzy, sprawling rock. Fans of their witty, spunky pop tunes started wondering if the band had finally lost it. But delve deeper into ‘Humbug’ and it gradually revealed itself to be a brave, layered exercise of a band keen to move forward.

Latest album ‘Suck It And See’, just released, has been greeted with more favourable reviews, and rightly so: where ‘Humbug’ mostly felt like a band finding their feet again, their latest longplayer feels streamlined, articulate and fun.

Despite their wobbles, Alex Turner and co remain one of the biggest bands in the country. To prove it, they’re heading out on a massive arena tour this winter, stopping off at the relatively intimate (for them) Echo Arena this November. Tickets on sale Friday 10th June.

Arctic Monkeys, Liverpool Echo Arena
9th November