Arctic Monkeys warm up for Reading And Leeds Festivals in Brixton

Arctic Monkeys warmed up for the Reading And Leeds Festival by playing the O2 Academy Brixton in London tonight (August 26).

Getting ready for the weekend's (August 28-30) headlining slots, the band played their first gig since the Monday (August 24) release of third album 'Humbug' with supergroup Them Crooked Vultures, woh played their first ever UK gig, supporting the Sheffield four-piece.

Kicking off with ’Humbug’ opener 'My Propeller', the band followed it with their Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds cover and recent B-side 'Red Right Hand'.

Pausing before playing current single 'Crying Lightning', frontman Alex Turner introduced the band by saying, "Hello, we're Arctic Monkeys," before jokingly adding, "Have we got time for one more?"

The band - joined by their recently-recruited live keyboard player and extra guitarist John Ashton (their former soundman) - then barely paused between songs as they performed a set that drew from all three of their albums with the likes of previous singles 'Brianstorm' and 2005 UK chart-topping single 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor'.

For new album track 'Potion Approaching', Turner ditched his guitar, trying his hand as an out-and-out frontman.

"Did you enjoy Them Crooked Vultures?" he then asked the crowd ahead of the next song, 'Pretty Visitors'. "I certainly did. We were fortunate to make a record with two of those chaps, and I can tell you they're a great pair of bastards. I'd like to dedicate this song to them."

Following 'Humbug' track 'Dangerous Animals', the band went right back to their beginnings, launching into 'The View From The Afternoon', the opener from 2006 debut album 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not'.

After a tender version of 'Cornerstone' Turner explained, "I'd like to take it down, take it down even further", before introducing 'Favourite Worst Nightmare''s 'Only Ones Who Know' and live favourite 'Do Me A Favour'.

"Have you had a good night, everybody?" the singer asked the crowd ahead of set-closer 'Fluorescent Adolescent'. "Well I hope it continues to be one!"

Returning for an encore, the band performed 'Secret Door' before finishing the night with '505'. "Thank you," declared Turner as his group wrapped things up. "Some of you I'm sure we'll see at the weekend."

Tickets for Leeds Festival 2009 are available Leeds Festival Tickets .