The 1975
Rod Laver Arena
Melbourne

On a chilly Melbourne night in April The 1975 filled Rod Laver Arena, supported by Californian singer-songwriter Wallice. 

Wallice was the perfect opening act for the night with her sweet synth rock rhythms along with some heavy guitar riffs. She left the crowd with a relatable coming of age tune ’23’, which definitely gained her more fans from the sound of the cheers.

House music was cut, lights were dimmed, and the audience were treated to a backstage video up on the big screen of The 1975 jamming tunes, before Matty Healy lead the camera crew on stage to a lounge room setting.  With a swagger in his step and a glass of wine in hand Matty greeted the crowd with a warm hello before being handed a acoustic guitar to perform ‘Be My Mistake’ solo.  

He then slid over to the lounge, put on a record and lit a cigarette. Signalling the band to come on stage, Matty welcomed the rest of the band by saying, “we are Manchester’s sexiest band”, the crowd cheered and Matty and the band launched into their newest popular songs ‘Looking for Somebody (to Love)’ and ‘Happiness’.

Going though all the hits, new and old, The 1975 could not contain the screams of their audience. Super fans were shouting from every corner of the arena when songs like, ‘I’m in Love With You’ and ‘She’s American’ were played, erupting the room. Matty almost gave full front man control over to the crowd.

Another swig of a flask and an ignite of a cigarette while Matty swings around the lounge, “It’s funny isn’t it, you think about something for a year and it doesn’t last a long time in your life and you do something for 10 minutes and that’s forever, it’s like this song…this next song is fucking mental, we weren’t thinking anything about it…maybe that’s the lesson.” With this lesson learnt, the crowd erupted yet again as ‘Somebody Else’ started to play.

Lights fade, flicker and flash as the next track is about to play, “I wish this song was getting tired, unfortunately its getting more relevant, it’s causing a lot of arguments in the band.” Matty preaches as ‘Love it if we Made it’ starts, fully aware that this song speaks to a generation surrounded by social media. Although some may find the song taboo, it was obvious that the harp-like arpeggios, disco riffs and staccato chords did not fail to get everyone up out of their seats. 

Ending the night with some nostalgic tunes ‘Sex’ and ‘Give Yourself a Try’ The 1975 took the crowd all the way back to the 2010s before another light and instrumental break closed the show. 

It’s safe to say the 1975 have come a long way over the last 10 years. Gaining a fan base so strong and dedicated to their art, they were able to curate a 1 hour and 55 minute set that satisfied new and old fans.

Words by Monique Pizzica

Photos supplied