Just over a year after their previous tour was started later, The 1975, consisting of: Matthew Healy, Adam Hann, George Daniel and Ross MacDonald, were once again performing at the O2 Arena in London to a crowd of 20,000. With their new album in the works, ‘Notes on a Conditional Form’, they were back performing new singles as well as their older favourites.
The 1975 were supported by Beabadoobee, a new singer, who is now represented by Dirty Hit alongside the band. As the crowds started filling up the arena, they were greeted by Bea’s tranquil music interspersed with bass riffs. These songs gathered momentum towards the end of her set, when she played her hit single ‘She Plays Bass’ to the dancing rows of people that had been queuing from the early hours of the morning.
After Beabadoobee’s well performed set, people waited excitedly for The 1975 to come on stage, which they did at 8:45, prepared for a long set ahead. They started with their first single ‘People’ from the upcoming album, which is a harsh criticism on today’s society, playing into the anger of youths at older generations. It also highlights our relationship with social media and how desensitised we have become to horrific incidents occurring around the world. Whilst their audience is primarily teen based, it is songs like this that ground them and portray the overall message of social media’s ability to have a positive impact, as shown in the latest single ‘Birthday Party’ (sung later in their set), as well as negative effects.
They continued their set with many more meaningful songs, both old and new, alongside uplifting tunes allowing their spirited audience to jump, dance and wave along with the music. The energy from the crowd was reciprocated in the band as well as their backup dancers: the Jaiy twins, and saxophonist John Waugh, bringing more force to their electrifying first night in London. Furthermore, the brilliant, vibrant backdrops changing for each song truly added the mood of the set, bringing the whole show together, allowing for a night their fans will not forget.
By Aurora Middleton
