Laurence Mackinfinds few theatrics at the Arctic Monkeys gig in Malahide Castle - but he can't find fault with the music

Arctic Monkeys, Malahide Castle, Co Dublin

It seems every castle, country house and spare bit of land in the country is hosting a music festival or outdoor concert this summer. But when you've got the hottest British musical property currently on tour, you know you're on to a winner.

What's good enough for Glastonbury is good enough for Malahide Castle and the Arctic Monkeys certainly didn't disappoint. Delorentos made up the early doors local contingent, followed by Merseyside band The Coral, but it was only really when Supergrass took to the stage that things took on a more festive atmosphere.

Supergrass are old hands at this sort of thing and it is their more vintage, anthemic tunes, such as Richard III, Moving and Mary, that get the crowd bouncing and rolling, but the few new tracks they unveil do plenty to whet the appetite for their forthcoming album.

However, it's when Arctic Monkeys stroll on to stage that the crowd really finds its voice. As the band opened the set, the hail of airborne plastic cups, breakfast bars, shoes and umbrellas became a torrent and the top-end of the spacious venue became a tumult of arms, legs and mobile phones.

It's astonishing that several of the members of Arctic Monkeys only got their first instruments in 2001; their playing is intricate, accomplished, and polished down to a razor-sharp edge.

After the briefest of pauses, they launch into You Look Good on the Dancefloor and manage to energise an already broiling crowd. At this stage, things get a bit rougher and ragged, spontaneity creeps in - and the music is all the better for it.

Artic Monkeys have their precursors and who better to remind them then the resident wits of an Irish crowd? Requests for Oasis tracks were met with a typically pithy response from Alex Turner: "You ought to watch yourself at the back, Mr finger on the pulse." Ouch.

There are few theatrics to the Arctic Monkeys: no dramatic backdrops or awe-inspiring light shows.

As they closed the set,and the crowd threw one last beer cup, one final shoe and one departing bra into the heavens, there is a nagging doubt that Glastonbury might be a tougher sell and they might need to work on the on-stage antics. But whatever happens next week, the music won't be at fault.