So far, it’s alright for The 1975.
To say the very least.
After a whirlwind 2013, the band returned headlining Glasgow’s 2550 capacity O2 Academy, a venue upgrade since their slot at ABC in September, it’s easy to see why fans keep coming back for more and how new fans are attracted by their sound.
For most bands the progress to larger venues translates to bigger production values and stage gimmicks, but for The 1975 there is no need. They stick to their original vibe using a plain back backdrop and white lighting in three rectangle shapes taken from their album artwork. Instead of dressing it up, it’s stripped back with only white lighting and smoke – it was all about the music.
Opening with The City, throughout the set the band combined old favourites from their EP releases and hits from their debut album release pleasing both dedicated fans and newcomers to their gig set.
The gig was a showcase of the culmination of the band’s hard work and proves that dedication pays off, as after years of small gigs and travelling across the country performing, their own fans are in force singing the words back at the band, smiles on faces, pints in hand, dancing the night away immersing themselves in The 1975 sound.
Tracks alike Milk, Robbers and You showcase the band’s instrumental and vocal talents while tracks including Settle Down, Heart Out, Talk! and Girls give the crowd the real chance to party.
Especially when alongside the traditional Scottish gig chant comes a new addition “we want sex”. The band fulfilled the plea ending their set on Sex.
It was one of the few gigs that instead of seeing phone screens lit up across the crowd, all you could see was hands in the air, people on shoulders, pints glasses raised and hands waving as the crowd danced along creating a festival atmosphere.
It was hard to believe you were standing on an alcohol coated dance floor in a venue in the middle of Glasgow rather than a festival field. No mean feat for one band to create an entire festival vibe in just a couple of hours captivating the whole audience from start to finish.
If you wanna find love, you know where The 1975 are.