The Last Shadow Puppets

When you’re part of some of the UK’s biggest indie bands of the 2000’s, what’s the next logical step? Making the ultimate supergroup, of course! That’s exactly what happened in the case of The Last Shadow Puppets. Formed of Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys), Miles Kane (The Rascals) and James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco) they released their debut album “The Age of the Understatement” in 2008 went straight to the top of the charts.
Taking their inspiration from icons such as The Beatles and late 60’s/early 70’s progressive rock, it allowed them to take a different musical direction from their other projects and incorporating elements of classical music to give it that added edge.
Witnessing The Last Shadow Puppets live is a thing of beauty, appealing to not only fans of their separate bands but also new audiences who have a love for classical instruments. Kicking off sets with their debut single “The Age of the Understatement” is a perfect opener as the string orchestra intertwine with the brass section whilst merging with suited and booted Turner and Kane’s mesmerising vocals as their regional dialects melt together reminiscent of a lullaby. The varying pace in tempo in “Hang The Cyst” creates a sense of urgency while lulling audiences in to a trance with tracks like “Black Plant” and “My Mistakes Were Made For You” which is worthy of being on a James Bond soundtrack. For the encore, audiences jump to their feet shouting for more before being dazzled with a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Memories” and closing the show with their second single “Standing Next To Me” sees Turner pick up a tambourine as the serenade the audience as they cheer wildly.
The Last Shadow Puppets are definitely a band who are worth seeing at least once in your lifetime.

Can you think of a better combination? Alex Turner and Miles Kane. Both have amazing unique voices, put them together BOOM! You have The Last Shadow Puppets. Close friends Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) and Miles Kane (ex-The Rascals) had been rumored to be recording an album with Simian and James Ford in 2007. Those rumors happened to be very true as in 2008 the duo would become known as 'The Last Shadow Puppets' Who said they took inspiration from Scott Walker and Bowie, as well as influences of The Beatles. Miles stated in an interview with The Sun that the duo were looking to record new material in 2009 but nothing more was announced. In 2011 Alex also confirmed that he was interested in recording a second album and Miles confirmed that he will reunite with the Arctic Monkeys singer Alex Turner to record a second album as 'The Last Shadow Puppets'. The bands first live show was in Brooklyn, New York at the Sound Fix Records. They have also played on the show Later...with Jools Holland, The famous UK festival Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and performed 'Standing Next to Me' as part of a birthday present for Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 1. The duo recently performed an acoustic performance of 'Standing Next to Me' at Finsbury Park 2014. Their album 'The Age Of The Understatement' is a fantastic album and I sure can't wait for the two to rejoin in the future for another brilliant and unique album (fingers crossed they boys do a tour).

It seems like an age ago now, but there was a time when Alex Turner was still known as that endearingly-scruffy kid from Sheffield with the unusual talent for razor-sharp observational lyricism, before he became a Josh Homme impersonator who didn’t pay his taxes. Back then, Turner plucked his mate Miles Kane out of relative obscurity with The Rascals, and they began to write songs together; their collaboration, under the moniker The Last Shadow Puppets, would yield one full-length record, The Age of the Understatement.
When they took the record on tour around the UK, Turner managed to resist the urge to drop Arctic Monkeys material into the set, whilst simultaneously preventing Kane from alienating the audience with Rascals songs; instead, they fleshed out their one and only album with a slew of covers, including The Beatles’ ‘I Want You (She’s So Heavy)’ and cuts from Nancy Sinatra, David Bowie and Leonard Cohen. The live lineup was expansive, with a full live band and a string section to fully convey The Age of the Understatement’s keen sense of drama, and the tour was pretty much an instant sell-out off the back of Turner’s profile alone. Save for a one-off U.S. show in 2010 and one song at Glastonbury last year, Turner and Kane haven’t played together as The Last Shadow Puppets since 2008; whether they can find enough time away from their current ‘day jobs’ to make another record remains to be seen.

AMAZING, AMAZING show. I had the best time.
To start, Cam Avery was amazing. While he might be known as jus the bass player of Tame Impala, his singing skills are unbelievable. If Hozier, James Bay, and Allen Stone had a child, you'd get Cam Avery. Amazing way to start the show.
As for Alex and Miles, I was transfixed. They are such amazing performers, and being there watching them was incredible. They are talented, of course, but also really witty and funny and have an interesting way of revving up the crowd.
However, my best experience of the show was when he came up to me, during my favorite song, The Dream Synopsis, and held my hand for about 10-15 seconds and sang to me. THAT was pretty euphoric. But in all seriousness, it was an amazing show and I would love to see them again!

The guys had a really great attitude and stage presence. The opening act was kinda out of place though. I think there was a problem on stage or something cause at the encore both Alex and Miles looked annoyed. The show lasted about an hour, considering they only have two albums well... it's okay. Good show!

The show was amazing! Miles and Alex both had so much energy and made it a memorable performance. The opener was amazing and every song The Last Shadow Puppets played was fantastic. I would see them perform every day if I could.

It was incredible, great energy at the event, they performed songs from all their albums not just "everything you've come to expect", some songs even sound better live! Definetly worth going.

Alex turner and miles kane from the last shadow puppets rocked newcastle city hall along side the special guests lapelles it was one hell of a
Great night Thankyou for entertaining us