Featuring old classics and new material, The 1975 made a passionate visit to Nottingham as part of their UK 2020 tour.
Having been a fan since I was around fifteen and attending two shows (now three) before, my expectations were high. Previous shows had been phenomenal, with visuals that lit up the whole room, literally, with mixes of old and new songs that range from distinctive dance tunes to mellow-toned pieces.
As always, I was excited to see the cool style of Matty, paired with the talented sound of the rest of the band, which makes them the quirky quartet they are.
The night started off with watching the Motorpoint Arena fill up as the support act, beabadoobee (real name, Beatrice Kristi Laus) put on a variety of upbeat songs. I’d listened to her previously, just to get an idea of her music style and hearing her live was even better. ‘Space Cadet’, ‘Apple Cider’ and’ She Plays Bass’ are just some of the songs the 19-year-old performed, which I definitely went back and listened to after the show was over.
After her set gained appreciative support from the crowds, the atmosphere was anxiously waiting for the main act. A slight swell of music grew louder and everyone seemed to scream simultaneously even though the band were not yet visible, but when they were the screaming was even louder.
The 1975, performing at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, February 15 
The show focused on the use of lighting and flashing images to emphasise the bands performance
Frontman Matty Healy sported a new messy hairdo as well as his usual casual attire, with the rest of the band following suit. They opened with ‘People’, a song which references real-world problems such as climate change, economy and drugs. Prior to the concert, I’d already gushed to my friends about how I had a feeling this song would be met with loud reception, screaming lyrics and flashing lights – and it was. The audience shouted the lyrics at Healy as he screamed them back and it was, for me, the best performance of the night. Everyone seated was standing and everyone already standing was jumping.
The band played old classics such as ‘Sex’, ‘Love Me’ and ‘Somebody Else’, as well as newer hits like Me and You Together Song, Frail State of Mind and two currently unreleased songs, ‘If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)’ and ‘Guys’. As a debut, ‘If You’re Too Shy’ was one of the best performances – it was catchy, fun and carried a tune I still can’t get out of my head.
Pair the old-time classics with the newer material, put these together with the astonishing, technical visuals and you’ve got yourself a show with The 1975. For a more un-bias opinion, I went with two people who had never been to a gig before; one of them wasn’t even really a fan of the band, but both agreed that it was lively and exciting and they had a great time.
So, in a nutshell, the show was incredible. With a band like The 1975, it’s the package they bring that makes them so influential for me. Whether it’s the lyrics that discuss important topics or real-life experiences, the visually stimulating experience, the use of lights, colour and flashing images, or the stage presence; it’s all that makes the show so memorable.
Words: Jasmin Bodman