Tom Dunne: Are the Arctic Monkeys really the last great band? 

After decades of dominance, changing tastes have dealt a blow to rock music, but the lads from Sheffield are still flying the flag for the genre

Arctic Monkeys are one of the standout rock bands in music world which seems to be leaving the genre behind. Picture: Zackery Michael

“Are the Arctic Monkeys the last great band?” was a question asked in a recent review of their new album. I scoffed, but it I also wondered: Who’s been ‘great’ since, as in REALLY GREAT? Phew, I wondered, like the flashing yellow Belisha lights at zebra crossings, are bands entering their endgame?

Bands, I like to believe, were invented by Buddy Holly. Prior to ‘bands’ the music world had been the preserve of men in cardigans called Bobby: Bobby Darin, Bobby Vee, Bobby Rydell, Bobby Vinton. It was a closed shop for the non-Bobby world.