Picture the scene: a two-floor set furnished with box-TVs, vintage lampshades that glow in unison with the music and Matt Healy standing at the edge of the rooftop, peering down at 20,000 screaming fans. This was one of the scenes at The 1975’s performance at the O2 Arena, as part of the At Their Very Best tour. The 80s-inspired band performed top hits as well as a number of songs from their new album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language.
One by one, the band (and supporting performers) entered the stage: opening a set door, hanging up their coats, then taking their positions. But there was one thing missing: Matt Healy, lead vocalist. His eventual entrance was characteristically melodramatic, where he arose from within the sofa with a lopsided grin. As the internet-saying goes, fans were “crying, screaming, throwing up” at his appearance. And it’s no surprise- the man knows how to please a crowd. There were, however, moments of chaos that suggested a mental breakdown, causing lulls in the crowd. I for one was utterly confused, and then alarmed that he was allowed to perform in such a poor mental state. Why weren’t the bandmates responding? How long had he been like this? Was this the message The 1975 wanted to send on tour?
My boyfriend shrugged it off as being “part of the experience”. After all, Matt Healy is no stranger to smoking and drinking on-stage. But this performance was the most outrageous yet. He often paused mid-lyric to have a swig of red wine or a puff of his cigarette, then wandered around the stage or lounged on the sofa as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
“[Fame] isn’t as glamorous as you think it is. This (gesturing to the set) isn’t glamorous, but it is. This is real life.”
Matt Healy, live at the O2 Arena on 13th January
And for many, it is. The 1975’s performance was opened with concept art, whereby the bandmates wanted to create something that reflected real-life, in all its ups and downs. Healy’s sporadic behaviour and bizarre references to “method acting” and “blurred lines” were meant to confuse the audience. Even superstars lose purpose, but that’s real life. That’s why, I believe, that the decision to make the set inspired by a house is genius: how better to convey the reality of life than through a place we spend the most time? The role of the house changed throughout the piece, beginning as a place to bring the performers together, then of despair and delusion, before finally ending as a place of celebration and nostalgia.
The 1975’s concert, concept art and all, can be summarised as unforgettable. Be it the film-set atmosphere, sold-out arena or Matt Healy’s sensual and humorous performance at the end of the show, the entire night was one to remember. The vibe was amazing and everyone knew it. Some stalls had even sold out of merchandise before the show had even started. It’s no surprise that the band have over 2.6m album sales worldwide. At this rate, they’re set to stay in the limelight for decades to come. Of course, Matt Healy’s masturbation-mimic certainly helped, especially when the concert ended with that. Sex sells, as he knows.
Both thought-provoking and thrilling, The 1975 was undeniably At Their Very Best. I look forward to seeing what the band do next, as well as hearing how the rest of the tour goes (and whether Matt Healy does more than kiss his fans).