This picture might be proof the Arctic Monkeys are set to play a series of huge UK gigs this year

There’s been widespread disappointment recently as the Arctic Monkeys, who are reportedly releasing their sixth album this year, have yet to announce any UK tour dates.

So far, they’ve confirmed just a handful of European (and one US) festival dates, with their only UK appearance at Glasgow’s TRNSMT festival, in July.

The band, who released their last album, AM, back in 2013, were widely expected to be announced as one of the Reading and Leeds headliners, but that failed to materialise, while there was also hope that they might agree to play their home town festival of Tramlines in Sheffield, which has grown from small beginnings to become a major date in the calendar. However, this has not happened either.

With no Glastonbury this year and, again, no appearance at the BBC’s Glasto replacement, the Biggest Weekend, it was beginning to look like a forlorn summer for Monkeys fans.

However, fear not, because we might finally have some good news.

The following photo was posted on the ‘Sheffield Sounds’ Facebook page:

It shows a council sign giving notice of a live music event, promoted by SJM Concerts, to take place at Hillsborough Park in Sheffield, “for up to a maximum of 4 dates during the month of September during the hours 16:00 and 22:30” - and people are speculating that these could be giant Arctic Monkeys homecoming shows, with a full supporting bill.

However, some people weren’t getting carried away, with one commenter writing: “I don’t think this is legit because of the strings used, usually the council will use cable ties for this so they aren’t impacted by rain. Nonetheless, I’ve sent an email over to the the one on here, I’ll post the response if I get one.”

Meanwhile, another was fully allowing themselves to get swept up in the excitement, writing: “The Monkeys aren’t going to come around with a new album and avoid Sheffield. Isn’t it obvious”.

Well, it would seem obvious that they would play Sheffield, but others have speculated that, with the album apparently not due until the autumn, it would make more sense for the band to play at the end of an inevitable world tour, meaning that September 2019 would be a more likely date for any shows to take place.

So, who knows for now - let’s suck it and see what happens when the sun goes down.

(Image: Rex)