Daniel Radcliffe, the actor best known for his role as Harry Potter, has revealed a long-held admiration for the Arctic Monkeys, naming them the best live band he’s ever seen. The revelation, initially surfacing in interviews years ago and recently revisited, underscores Radcliffe’s consistent enthusiasm for the Sheffield-based indie rock group.
Radcliffe recounted a particularly formative experience seeing the band at the Reading Festival, when they were still on the ascent. “I went to the Reading Festival in [when I was] 16, and Arctic Monkeys were playing in a tent,” he told Rolling Stone. “They were halfway up the bill of the smallest tent of the festival because they were not yet famous, except they were.”
He described the atmosphere as electric, noting the band’s burgeoning popularity even before the release of their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. “The album wasn’t out, but if you were illegally downloading music, which, I’m sorry, I did, you could have listened to the whole thing. Watching this band right on the cusp of becoming massive, where they were in a tent that was probably for a few thousand people, and there were probably like 10,000 people trying to cram in there, that was really cool.”
This isn’t a new sentiment for Radcliffe. As far back as , he publicly championed the Arctic Monkeys, even expressing a playful frustration at seeing their popularity explode after he’d already been a fan. A article in NME highlighted his preference for the band, alongside others like Bloc Party and The Strokes, and his desire for The Libertines to perform at his birthday.
The actor’s early support for the band, as reported by digitalspy.co.uk in , revealed a sense of ownership and a slight annoyance at the band’s mainstream acceptance. He lamented the feeling of “finding a band that’s yours” only to have everyone else claim them as their own, identifying himself as “Arctic Monkeys fan 001.”
The timing of Radcliffe’s renewed praise coincides with a period of quiet resurgence for the Arctic Monkeys themselves. While relatively low-profile since their Glastonbury set, recent developments suggest a potential return to the spotlight. According to reports, a new company, Bang Bang Recordings Ltd., has been registered with Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O’Malley, and Matt Helders listed as directors – a pattern historically preceding new music releases.
Further fueling speculation is the subtle redesign of the band’s website, which saw the removal of artwork associated with their previous album, The Car, and the addition of a “Newsletter” section, a surprisingly direct attempt to engage with fans. Online sources, with a proven track record of reporting on the band, suggest studio sessions are booked for and a full summer tour is planned for .
The band recently released “Opening Night,” a track featured on the War Child Help(2) compilation album, offering a glimpse into their evolving sound. Drummer Matt Helders has indicated that the band enjoyed the process of creating the track and doesn’t rule out further collaborations, stating that making music together is “something they will always do.”
Radcliffe’s current project is the Broadway production of Every Brilliant Thing, a one-man show exploring themes of mental health and finding reasons to live. The play, which previously featured a rotating cast of prominent British actors in the West End, marks a significant shift for the actor, showcasing his commitment to emotionally resonant and socially conscious work.
He recently reunited with his Harry Potter co-star Tom Felton, after the release of the first film in the franchise, a moment that resonated with fans and highlighted the enduring bond between the cast members.
While Radcliffe’s career has taken him far beyond the wizarding world, his enduring passion for music, and specifically for the Arctic Monkeys, offers a glimpse into his personal tastes and a reminder that even globally recognized actors are, at heart, fans themselves. His consistent advocacy for the band, spanning nearly two decades, speaks to the lasting impact of a formative musical experience and the power of discovering a band that truly resonates.
