After an extended build up bound by climactic instrumentals and a chorus of “woos” from the devoted crowd, English pop-rockers The 1975 took the stage. The foursome placed themselves on top of white platforms surrounded by four pillars, creating the perfect projection structure. Leaving no room for disappointment on the visuals front, the formation was soon lit up in their iconic cover artwork pink and blue. The stereo electric riffs, immediately reminiscent of Bowie’s Fame, soon began and fans were delighted by the English unit’s opener Love Me. As expected, frontman Matthew Healy was throwing out some hip-thrusting, body shaking dance moves.
The eye-catching stage soon displayed a black and white city skyline as UGH! kicked in. While the song poured out perfected production and a catchy chorus, the real show stopper was the visual effects. Taking a step back to their self-titled album were Heart Out and So Far (It’s Alright). John Waugh satisfied the old souls in the arena with his incredible saxophone performance while Healy showed off his Michael Jackson influenced body language.
With AChange Of Heart, the beloved band moved back into I like it when you sleep… with no argument from their overactive audience. Backed by a bubble-gum backdrop, The 1975 offered up an experience derived of visual delights and sonic dreams. Bass guitarist Ross MacDonald drove the track with an unexpected bass line that boasted funkadelic flavour. Before long the room was moving and grooving to She’s American. While their audience was diverse, the band’s ’80s inspiration was clear and fused timeless funk with modern dance pop-rock.
The 1975 stepped back for the second time with Menswear before bringing out a striking white strobe that introduced the synth sounds of Loving Someone. Finally taking the time to talk to his audience, Healy revealed the band would be back next year to an eruption of roars unlike any other. Instructing the audience to put away their phones, Healy said, “I want us all to connect – not in a weird way, but in an emotional way.” True to his word, Me had everybody captivated by an evocative saxophone solo.
Fallingforyou saw the crowd singing “I don’t want to be your friend, I wanna kiss your neck” before The 1975 smashed out Somebody Else, Robbers, You and Paris. All four couldn’t stand up next to fan favourite Girls – a dream pop delight that had everyone dancing.
Playing an epic encore of If I Believe You, Chocolate, The Sound and Sex, the UK heartthrobs had Hisense Arena shaking by the show’s end.
WORDS BY PHOEBE ROBERTSON
IMAGE BY JAZ MEADOWS
Loved: The accent – gets me every time.
Hated: Not knowing all the words.
Drank: Nothing
