What happened to Alex Turner's voice as Arctic Monkey defends odd accent change

23 June 2023 , 21:00

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Arctic Monkey star Alex Turner defends his bizarre accent change to 'American cowboy' (Image: Redferns)

Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner has been criticised for one particular change since his band hit the big time in the early 2000s - his accent.

The Yorkshire lad's vocal chords have been a hot topic over recent days, following a battle with acute laryngitis almost putting a stop to this evening's Glastonbury performance, but it's usually his accent that attracts some attention from fans.

In 2017 even Liam Gallagher slated Alex's "American" accent, telling the BBC : "The singing's alright for me, you know what I mean? It's when they do an interview later on down the line, and they've been to America once, and they come back speaking American."

Alex, who hails from Sheffield, has been noted for now speaking with an American 'drawl' that some have likened to an "American cowboy".

The star has even been crowned "Sheffield Elvis" after Arctic Monkeys performed at Glastonbury in 2013 and his accent became one of the focuses of the band's set.

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Alex Turner, frontman of Arctic Monkeys, has been noted for his accent changing from his natural Sheffield accent (AFP via Getty Images)

In one of Alex's previous performances fans were left confused over the star's accent, as they took to social media to ask why he no longer had his distinctive Sheffield accent on stage.

One fan tweeted: "A bit confused by Alex Turner’s new accent....He’s like Sheffield’s Elvis."

Another shared: "Nobody seems to have mentioned Alex Turner’s weirdenheimer American accent at Glasto. Yet Joss Stone scuppered her career over the same thing."

Alex Turner has addressed the accent change as he claims it's not intentional. After his 2013 Glastonbury set, he spoke to NME as he said: "I’ve been pointing my hands for ages though! Maybe it’s just the quiff that’s confusing people?

"Jo Whiley just said I was channelling my inner Elvis, but I dunno man. It’s not intentional!"

Alex very almost didn't make it onto the Pyramid Stage at Worthy Farm this evening, with the Mardy Bum singer pulling out of a gig earlier this week due to illness.

The Arctic Monkeys were forced to cancel an open-air concert in Dublin on Tuesday due to Alex suffering from acute laryngitis.

Alex and his bandmates had been set to play Marlay Park on Tuesday night but announced the gig had been cancelled via a social media statement shared Monday afternoon.

"We are extremely sorry to announce the cancellation of Arctic Monkeys’ show at Marley Park in Dublin Tomorrow," the update read.

"Alex is suffering from acute laryngitis, and following medical advice, has been ordered to rest.

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"Alex and the band apologise for the huge disappointment this will inevitably cause to all their Irish fans.

"Full refunds will be credited back to the ticket purchaser’s account by Ticketmaster within the next six working days."

Niamh Spence