The 1975’s Matt Healy is back on familiar turf this evening; the talented frontman grew up on Tyneside before moving to Cheshire thus making tonight’s show at the Utilita Arena a homecoming of sorts.
Throughout their almost two-hour set, you could see just how much it meant to Healy to be back in the region, especially during ‘Give Yourself a Try’ as he fondly grasps a black and white Newcastle United shirt.
The Brit indie-pop outfit will unveil their fourth album ‘Notes on a Conditional Form’ in April. And from the top of the set, the group looked to road test their latest offering, with the euphoric lead single ‘People’ opening the show.
The rather dreamy ‘Me and You Together Song’, the ‘80s-tinged ‘If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)’, a heart-warming rendition of ‘Guys’ and ‘Frail State of Mind’ completes a run of new songs to feature in the set. The big beats and tropical rhythms of the latter showcase a more dance-orientated side of the band’s repertoire and get the crowd moving.
The 1975’s ground-breaking and colourful stage production is as aesthetically pleasing as it is visually stimulating. The stage set truly encapsulates the band’s unrivalled creativity. Featuring floor to ceiling video walls, a moving walkway and illuminated transparent frames, each working element transforms or evolves as the show progresses to create a visually-pleasing scene that perfectly accompanies each song in the set-list.
During the latter stages of the show, The 1975 wheel out many of their big hits with fan-favourite ‘Chocolate’ adding a certain degree of sweetness to the encore. Whilst the band laughs in the face of their naysayers during show closer ‘The Sound’, a highlight reel of less than favourable quotes displays on video screens as the band and their fans take the show home.
Whilst the North East has been battered by Storm Dennis over the weekend, The 1975 have been storming the NME Awards where they picked up the gong for the Band of the Decade. On the strength of this performance, their recognition was deservedly so.
A mention must also go out to labelmate and opening act Beabadoobee who has a nostalgic sound that is, in places, reminiscent of ‘90s alt-rock bands such as Sonic Youth or the Smashing Pumpkins. Simultaneously, the London-based artist possesses a songbook featuring more catchy hooks than a fishing tackle shop. Expect big things to come from Beabadoobee in the not too distant future.
