Alex Turner has reportedly told a fan that a new single from Arctic Monkeys is coming “soon”, as we all carry on waiting patiently for the first new music from the band in close to five years.

@ArcticMonkeysUS just met Al again. I can confirm the beard remains, but he gave away nothing about UK dates and said the single would be “soon” ??‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/WY6DEzBgGc — William Hann (@williamhann86) March 5, 2018

Fan William Hann bumped into the front-man who confirmed new music was coming “soon” but remained tight-lipped on news of more UK dates.

The news comes a day after the Sheffield band announced a small run of headline dates throughout Europe this summer, which will see them stop off in Paris, Rome, Berlin, Milan, Dusseldorf and Copenhagen.

In January, the four-piece revealed a long list of festival dates around the globe this summer, however; it only includes one date in the UK where they will headline Glasgow’s TRNSMT Festival, with no more dates yet announced.

Rumours were rife first that the band were set to play Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival, then there was a request from SJM concerts for the band to play Hillsborough Park in September but the request was mysteriously withdrawn.

Fans then expected the band to be announced to headline Reading & Leeds and were left disappointed when the band weren’t announced with Festival Republic boss Melvin Benn telling BBC News: ‘“Not really. The Arctic Monkeys have headlined Reading and Leeds twice before so they’re an act we’re always talking to. Was it ever likely for this year? No, it wasn’t. They’ve got their own plans.”

Arctic Monkeys are set to play these festivals:

Primavera Sound, Spain (June 2)

Best Kept Secret, Netherlands (June 8)

Firefly Festival, Delaware, US (June 14-17)

Southside Festival, Germany (June 22-24)

Hurricane Festival, Germany (June 22-24)

TRSNMT, Scotland (July 1)

Open’er, Poland (July 4)

Rockwave Festival, Greece (July 6)

Rock Werchter, Belgium (July 8)

NOS Alive, Portugal (July 12)

Madcool Festival, Spain (July 13)

OYA Festival, Norway (August 8)

Way Out Festuval, Finland (August 9-11)

Flow Festival, Finland (August 11)

Sziget Festival, Hungary (August 14)