Arctic Monkeys re-unite in Leeds

Arctic Monkeys have re-united with former bassist Andy Nicholson at Carling Weekend: Leeds today (August 27).

The Sheffield four-piece met up with their original bassist backstage, despite his recent sacking from the band.

Drummer Matt Helders chatted with his fellow founding member plus a group of friends in the backstage bar as Arctic Monkeys took in the atmosphere ahead of their main stage appearence this evening.

Later on he met with singer Alex Turner and in a nice twist he was seen shaking hands and chatting with new bassist Nick O'Malley (pictured).

As previously reported on NME.COM, Nicholson left the band after he announced that he didn't want to play on this year's US tour and was replaced by Nick O'Malley.

His absence was blamed on "fatigue" at the time but Turner later explained: "We sorta found ourselves in a situation where we wanted to move forward.

"It weren't like us wanting to carry on like this as punishment for him wanting to opt out."

Guitarist Jamie Cooke added: "Everyone might say we're wankers and we shit on him, but they don't know. We know, Andy knows and that's all that really matters."

Elsewhere, the bands continue to rock the final day of Carling Weekend: Leeds Festival. Wakefield band The Cribs have played one of their biggest ever homecoming shows in the early afternoon, while The Futurheads also performed on the Main Stage this afternoon and instigated a few crowd singalongs.

Before former single 'A To B' guitarist Ross Millard said: "The best thing about festivals is that you guys get to sing with us...everybody clap and sing!"

The biggest cheers were reserved for singles 'Decent Days And Nights' and 'Skip To The End', while 'Hounds Of Love' received one of the best receptions of the day so far.

Dirty Pretty Things captivated the crowd from the outset, opening with recent single 'Deadwood'.

Carl Barat, his arm again in a Union Jack sling after breaking his collarbone, also ran through Libertines' songs 'Death On The Stairs' and 'I Get Along'.

Stay tuned to nme.com/festivals for full coverage from both sites of the Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds Festivals including news, pictures and blogs, and check out next week's issue of NME - out August 30 - for the ultimate festival review.

Src: Nme.com