The influx of Sunday ticket holders meant that by the time Arctic Monkeys arrived on stage shortly after 10.15pm they would be playing to the largest assembly of music fans at Electric Picnic this year and the thousands in attendance were treated to a band at the absolute height of their musical powers. Alex Turner has come a long way since bursting on to the scene in the middle of the last decade as a precocious teen with a knack for catchy hooks and witty lyrics. It's been interesting to watch Turner's chameleon-like character arc during the course of the Arctic Monkeys' discography; from the aforementioned northern cheeky chappy of their debut album, to the long-haired 'Humbug' rock n' roller, finally arriving at the 50's style pompadoured greaser that he is today, Turner has always been an engaging stage presence - and now he's a massive rock star to boot.

Opening with the slow-burning 'Do I Wanna Know?' from the upcoming new album AM, the Monkeys traversed their discography over the course of the 90 minute set. The new material, including pensive rocker 'Why Do You Only Call Me When You're High?' and the raucous 'R U Mine?' shows the band in a broodier mood than they have in recent years, perhaps the result of the influence of Turner's new best mate, QOTSA's Josh Homme, who was on production detail for the new album. 

Somewhat predictably, it was older material like 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' and 'When The Sun Goes Down' that united all four corners of the crowd into the evening's biggest frenzy but you suspect that, when AM hits the shelves next week, music fans will have a whole new set of anthems to sing along to when the Arctic Monkeys next roll into town. Absolutely outstanding.

As soon as the Arctic Monkeys finished we hightailed it over to the Body & Soul for once last show as there's really no better way to finish an Electric Picnic than with a Le Galaxie show. The Body & Soul stage was about as jam-packed as we have ever seen it, with hundreds of people defying their weary limbs and eeking out whatever dance moves they could muster to the sounds of one of Ireland's finest live acts. The band were, as is always the case, on fine form. Any energy the crowd expended was returned with more from the band as they pounded through a furious hour long set, throwing glowsticks and balloons (which somehow had lights in them) into the delighted crowd. 'Beyond Transworld' and 'Midnight Midnight', two of our favourite songs, well, ever were our particular highlights.

And with that we left the Picnic for another year, only to receive word after we left (around 2am or so) that LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, AKA one of John's favourite people on the the planet earth, was playing a secret gig at the Body & Soul stage. Darn.

So long Picnic, see you next year!