It’s hard not to get caught up in it—sweaty people bathed in color shoving each other and singing emotionally to no one in particular. For this brief time people are allowed to suspend inhibitions. While giving in to all that is ordinarily dormant, most join the current of madness as if it were second nature. Arctic Monkeys could incite nothing less than this joyous chaos among receptive fans Tuesday night at the Riviera Theater.

The sold-out show brought individuals of all ages out onto the dance floor. From young children holding their parents hands to balding, forty-somethings grasping their inconspicuous brown-bagged beverages, it was made clear that Arctic Monkeys are not your average group of Brits before they even stepped on stage.

However, when the time finally came the foursome proved themselves and gave everyone present permission to believe the hype. Among the first few songs was their new single “Brianstorm,” which sent the crowd into a complete frenzy with its forceful and distinct rhythm. Their performance of a song that is all about criticizing people who are little too aware of their impressiveness and desirability seemed to add just the right amount of irony to the situation.

With all the buzz surrounding Arctic Monkeys—building up since before their first full-length release, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, in early 2006—it was refreshing when their follow-up, Favourite Worst Nightmare, added onto their original sound. It was neither a replica of their debut nor was it a life-changing beginning. Their concert continued this theme and exhibited an excellent balance between then and now. They played established fan favorites like “Fake Tales of San Francisco,” which elicited collective annoyance with poseurs through the common shouting of “Get off the band wagon and put down the handbook.” While still receiving bobbing and swaying approval from the crowd by incorporating new pleasers like “Florescent Adolescent” with ease and tact.

The performance of each song was not only intense but genuine. Arctic Monkeys are not one of those bands that need to put on an elaborate staged drama complete with burlesque dancers in order to bring themselves across. Lead singer Alex Turner was plainly telling you about his truths and all he needed was his voice and guitar to do it.

The evening could only really end in one way—with the epitome of late nights past, present, and future—“A Certain Romance.” The rolling drum beats built it up quickly and the guitar solo released it into easy-going reminiscence. The crowd was reminded that nothing will ever be exactly the way you want it but that “you just cannot get angry in the same way.” The feeling in the room heightened with the growing momentum of the song. It was finally let go for the final time with a burst of white light and sound that died away slowly with the exodus of satisfied people.