Arctic Monkeys play sold-out charity gig at the Royal Albert Hall - in pictures

Sheffield rock band played an epic gig at one of the UK's most historic venues

(The Independent)

Arctic Monkeys played a sold-out show at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the charity War Child, on Thursday 7 June.

Included in the setlist was the track "Star Treatment" from their latest album Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino, which they performed live for the very first time.

The track is the opening song on the album and was debuted by the Sheffield band during a three track encore, which also featured "The View From The Afternoon" and "R U Mine".

Photographer Aaron Parsons went down to the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington, London, and took a series of fantastic shots for The Independent.

Check them out below:

Arctic Monkey's sixth album Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino was released on 11 May to critical acclaim. In The Independent's review, the band were praised for landing on something "creative, intriguing and completely different".

(The Independent/Aaron Parsons) (The Independent)

"[The lyrics] are as frequently absurd and brilliantly imaginative as some of the best sci-fi writers – Arthur C Clarke, Philip K Dick, HG Wells – while the instrumentation recalls their cinematic adaptations, or classic superhero cartoons. On “Batphone” there’s a comical, jaunty line (a rare moment that seems to recall a little of AM) over the heavier thump of Turner’s Steinway – “Have I told you all about the time I got sucked into a hole through a handheld device?” he asks. Killer Pink Flamingos, indeed...

(The Independent/Aaron Parsons) (The Independent)

"Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino feels more like an interlude between AM and a seventh Arctic Monkeys album – a delve into the bizarre, where even the Steinway has its own character. On “The Ultracheese” the descending piano chords symbol a kind of final bow; the last soliloquy of the night before the curtain closes. Few bands today are as brave as this."

(The Independent/Aaron Parsons) (The Independent)

In a comment piece about the early reactions to the album, culture reporter Jacob Stolworthy also noted how the band were "lightyears away" from their debut album.

"The fact is, these four musicians have fully submerged themselves into this venture, into this defined hotel and casino, and are inviting you to check in and do the same," he wrote.

"Its theatrical production and refined vocal delivery - heavily sprinkled with Turner's natural musicality and love of Dion, Serge Gainsbourg and The Beach Boys - is the kind that will unlock new doors with each listen."

​See more of Aaron Parson's photography on his website.