WELLER APPROVES

Paul Weller is not a man who is over-generous with praise, so when he passes his blessing on, it means something. (Normally, that he thinks a band sounds a bit like him.)

Receiving the pope-like kiss are - of course - The Arctic Monkeys:

"They've fucked off loads of people. They have done it on their own terms.

"Fucked off Top Of The Pops and done their own thing. It's powerful."

Yeah, they've stuck two fingers up at the music establishment by... erm, what, exactly? They go on Radio One to talk about how they won't play Top of the Pops, which is hardly the same thing as a self-denying ordinance. And although getting We Are Scientists to record their Brits acceptance speech was funny, a chummy gesture for the awards show isn't the same as withdrawing in disgust, is it? They're like the organic counter in Tesco: might be better for you and the planet, but they're still counting towards Tesco's profits.

music paul weller arctic monkeys