If you are heading to one of the Arctic Monkeys’ huge shows in the UK and Ireland over the next few weeks, look out for a very special collaboration with Big Issue.
Because Britain’s biggest band and Big Issue have joined forces to produce the souvenir programme for the homecoming leg of Arctic Monkeys’ globe-trotting tour. And it’s a belter.
The programme features brand-new, never-before-seen images of the band on the road, plus an in-depth interview with the band’s beating heart, drummer Matt Helders. It continues the longstanding relationship between two British icons dating back to 2006, when we first covered their rise. Last year, The Big Issue got the global exclusive interview with frontman Alex Turner as Arctic Monkeys announced their seventh album, The Car. The interview was conducted for Big Issue by long-time fan and Line of Duty star Martin Compston.
In the exclusive new interview for the tour programme, Helders lifts the lid on life on the road two decades into the band’s journey, and tells us why the home leg of The Car Tour is “like a victory lap”. He also explains why Arctic Monkeys continue to support Big Issue. “The obvious reason is the good work you do… but it’s not just that,” he said. “It is good journalism as well as being a good cause.”
The souvenir programme is on sale for £10 at all UK and Ireland shows, starting at Ashton Gate, Bristol, on 29 May.
Proceeds from programme sales – at the shows or online – go to Big Issue to boost our work helping the most vulnerable in society.
