It’s hard to believe that the version of The 1975 that we have today were the ones only a few years ago criticised for being almost one note and uncreative. In the last few years, they have released two Mercury-nominated albums which are some of the most creative records of the past decade. Over that time their fanbase has not only remained extremely loyal, but grown to make them one of the biggest bands in the world currently.
They arrive back in Cardiff not long after a year since they last played the sold out Motorpoint Arena. Originally their fourth album “Notes On A Conditional Form” would have been released by now, however after relentless touring and festivals over the past year and a bit, it’s no surprise that they needed a bit more time to make it just right. Already pitched by their manager as their most “out-there” and eclectic record yet, it certainly makes April a tantalising time.
Especially if they first taste of the album we got “People” and the opening track tonight is anything to go by. With it’s Queens Of The Stone Age esq chorus and Healy shouting the lyrics down the mic as if it’s the last gig they’ll ever do; they’ve never felt more revitalised as a band. From all of the energy given in the opening three minutes, no one has a chance for a breather as they go from the new to the old in the form of “Sex”. Without fail it’s usually performed as the final track of their sets so I don’t think everyone is quite ready for what hits them. Since it’s first release it has not lost an inch of the power it had back in the day.
We then get a trio of singles from “A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships”, with “TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME” prompting a mass sing along as the lyrics are plastered on big letters on the impressive staging. Speaking of impressive, is the travellator during “Sincerity Is Scary” where Healy, adorned in a funky hat and backpack dances from one end of the room to the other with ease. It’s topped off with “It’s Not Living If It’s Not With You”, which with the backing singers brings more colour audibly and visibly from the striking lights from the stage.
It’s not all older material though, songs from the upcoming new album make an appearance throughout including the as yet unreleased “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)” and the most recent single “The Birthday Party”. Both are treated by the loving crowd as if they have been known for years, the later being sung back word for word despite only being available for a few days.
The relentless energy from the extensive touring has taken it out of the band mentions Healy early on so they promise to slow things down for the Sunday night with a couple of rarely played slower cuts instead. From their early EP’s both “Undo” and “Me” get outings during the set tonight. It’s a real treat for the life long fans here tonight, of which there are many.
However, the highlight of the night comes sandwiched in the middle of this with “Lostmyhead” from their second record. It beautifully shows the maturity of the band in their more recent years as the melodic sounds echo around the arena. As it builds towards its crescendo, we see Matty take a lift up at the back of the stage where he fades into the back of the set. As the guitars come in at the end, it almost feels as though there is no room big enough that can contain the epic sound.
When the opening chords of “Somebody Else” are played out, one can already feel the emotions it stirs up inside. To this day it feels like an incredibly personal song, but one that can resonate with anybody. It showcases not only impressive live vocals, but a musicianship that brings together the whole band. Its then followed by “I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)” a song which triumphantly completed their third record off in style as well as the set tonight. As with “Somebody Else” that was played before it, these songs are epic in scale but sound as though they are being played specifically to you.
As the band all triumphantly leave the stage, Healy remains throughout and requests that everyone stay for the five-minute climate change speech given by Greta Thunberg and featured at the start of their new album. For the duration it’s great to see so many young people with their phones down and instead captivated by the horrors that are being told before them. As the rest of the bang return, it seems as though the crowd have gone an extra notch in volume for “Love It If We Made It”. With it’s biting lyrics which take a stab at modern life; including the iconic line “Thank you Kanye, very cool”, it shows they are a cut above most other bands in Britain at the moment.
Both “Give Yourself A Try” and “Chocolate” showcase the energy previously preserved in the slower numbers. As mentioned before, it’s great to see how they’ve been able to develop as a band over time and find new and inventive ways to make incredibly catchy pop songs. Not only that but they know how to poke fun at themselves as they realise this music isn’t for everybody. “The Sound” is full of life played live, but it’s accompanied by sarcastic comments from Daily Mail commenters and angry Twitter which regularly flash up on the screen.
With all of the adversity going on in the world, it feels as though The 1975 are the band for the moment. Both in terms of having something to say and making us feel something about music, right now they can’t be touched.