Matty Healy, frontman of the alternative band The 1975, is no stranger to controversy, from dating Taylor Swift in mid-April to being “cancelled” more times than one can count. But unlike other artists, Healy doesn’t let the hate phase him; in fact, he uses it to his advantage. The 1975’s tour, “Still…at their very best,” doesn’t just explore their discography, but is also a theatrical production with commentary on society, cancel culture, toxic masculinity, and a myriad of other topics. All while feeling like you’re at a dance party.
Upon entering the stadium, the first thing I noticed was the environment. After going to Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” in early April and experiencing the chaos that can occur at such a high-stakes concert as well the sheer number of people who were there, this concert seemed much calmer. The floor section was spaced out, and there were even many people who purposely stayed near the back to have enough space to dance freely.
When the curtains came up and the lights dimmed, the stage setup was completely different from anything I’d seen. Onstage was a house with a spiral staircase, windows, doors, and furniture. The house setup differentiates from typical concert setups, and it allows you to feel more immersed in the experience, making you feel like you’re a guest in the band’s home rather than a fan at a concert.
Throughout the show, Healy performs various “bits” that range from long speeches to doing push-ups on stage. One of the bits he does that sparked large amounts of controversy earlier this year is the performance of the song “It’s Not Living If It’s Not With You.” The song begins with a guitar riff, and in concert, Healy begins with a speech. In the scripted speech, he says he has some controversial opinions, and as he begins to state one, his guitarist conveniently cuts him off at the beginning of the song. He does this at every show, varying his unhinged statements to make the cut-off funnier. But Healy caught controversy online earlier this year when a clip of the bit went viral without any context. Viewers were quick to cancel him, calling him problematic, while frantic fans tried—without avail—to explain that it was simply a bit he does at every show. The controversy died down after a while, and Healy now does a tongue-in-cheek apology speech (also scripted) every show.
This “apology speech” bit involves him taking his phone out to read a long speech, usually about his recent controversial behavior, but the topics can alternate. The screens around the arena zoom in on him, until they suddenly begin showing varying video clips of Subway Surfers Reddit videos, slime videos, and other random clips. These short clips are commonly used on social media, especially TikTok, to garner more views and captivate the audience when a video is over a minute long. Healy’s bit is a clear attack on Gen Z, showing how people become sidetracked by the videos in the background, rather than focusing on his serious speech. When the Subway Surfers clips began and laughter ensued, Healy paused his speech. “It’s not funny. This is serious,” he chided. The most ironic part of it? Videos of this bit have gone viral on TikTok, where viewers remarked that the clips in the background made it easier to pay attention to Healy’s 10-minute rant.
Aside from the bits and Healy’s unpredictable stage behavior, the set list was diverse, incorporating songs from their most recent album as well as their debut album from 2013. The songs range from upbeat, poppy songs to aggressive rock songs to slow ballads, and they never felt out of place or random. Even not knowing all the songs, I was constantly engaged and felt like a part of the fan base.
It’s no secret that The 1975 are great performers, and the numerous elements of the show make the experience all the better. The band also moves to a mini-stage on the other side of the arena at certain points of the show, making sure to include all sides of the arena in the experience.
Leading up to the concert, I didn’t know what to expect, but I was surprised at how much fun I had. The concert was both a theatrical and musical experience, and overall, it was completely worth it. This is a concert where you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on floor tickets either, because wherever you’re sitting, you feel immersed and part of the experience. I would highly recommend seeing The 1975 if you ever have the chance, whether you’re a big fan or not.
