Project Description

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The 1975.

THE 1975
@ Red Hill Amphitheatre, Perth
8th April, 2023
(Live Review)

Review by Melanie Griffiths

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The 1975

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The 1975’s Perth show lived up to expectations, the characterisations and the criticisms that make The 1975 one of the most complicated bands in the musical landscape.

While currently working on their sixth album The 1975 are a group that you either love or love to hate. There must be something in the Manchester water because like many of their other Manc siblings, The 1975 project disgruntled, frenetic energy through frontman Matt Healy and their songs, which are imbued with ennui and hooky earworms.

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The 1975.

The 1975.

Due to Tik Tok videos focussing on Matt’s autotune adlibbing during this tour, the group is at the forefront of fans’ minds and it was no surprise that despite being at Red Hill, the concert sold out. Perfect night for it really, with a slight chill in the air, and the city twinkling below, it served as the romantic environment for support Wallice to charm the audience with her delicate vocals and take on indie folk music.

The first gig of their Australian leg also shared the honour of falling on Healy’s birthday. Coming out on stage to a loud rendition of “Happy Birthday” it set the tone for the rest of the evening – a four thousand-person sing-a-long. At HBF Stadium in 2019, Healy danced around on stage in a floral skirt and satin shirt combo, tonight he exuded a traditional indie rock persona in black pants, leather jacket, button up and hair that looked like he’d run his hand through it far too many times. Opening with the tender acoustic ‘Be My Mistake’ which could’ve been a closer, it was a moment of delicacy before launching into more familiar sonic territory with ‘Looking For Somebody (To Love)’ and the disco-pop infused ‘Happiness’ from their last album release 2022’s ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’.

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The 1975.

The 1975.

These synth-driven songs flourished under live instrumentation becoming little nuggets of bright indie-pop as was the case with a funky outing of ‘Ugh!’. Ross MacDonald (bass), Adam Hann (leady guitar, keyboards) and George Daniel (drums) were spread across the apartment-dressed stage and anchored the anxious Healy. Songs were punchy even as they bled with emotional angst such as ‘Oh Caroline’ and ‘If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)’. With every song, the group were supported by fans who knew every lyric and bopped along happily.

Juxtaposed with all this was Healy who increasingly looked more invested in his performance, removing his jacket, swigging wine whilst refusing to do a shoey, and swanning around on stage as if it really was his abode. During a song break, Healy said the band had never really been fully embraced and knows those who come to their shows are legit fans. Despite his problematic image and clumsily delivered opinions, fans love his imperfections. Songs that burst with sultry infatuation, perky synths and pop-driven guitar riffs like ‘I’m In Love With You’, ‘Robbers’ and ‘She’s American’ were received with a joyous roar on the intro.

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The 1975.

The 1975.

The shade to all this love bombing was an emotional delivery of ‘fallingforyou’ that a self-indulgent affair before a brooding Healy went down to the barricade for ‘About You’, to receive roses, outstretched hands while wiping fans’ tear-stricken cheeks.

‘Somebody Else’ a glorious example of what music was like in 2015, still holds up today with its funky drums, bass- rhythms and airy vocals. It signalled the homestretch of the concert as the group parried between intense emotional watersheds like  ‘I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes), ‘Sex’. And bonafide dance jam ‘The Sound’ proved when Matty tells you to jump, you say how high with the Amphitheatre heaving like an ocean current.

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Song ‘Love It If We Made It’ best exemplifies the strength of the Manchester natives. With the song’s critique of modern society, Healy still exudes hopeful optimism even as he barks out, “That are hardening positions based on miscommunication/Oh, fuck your feelings! Truth is only hearsay.” By night’s end, The 1975 proved why theirs is a tour that can’t be skipped. Still living within the hearts of fans, the group look to be evolving – less anxious and perhaps, even more wiser to accept their flaws as strengths.

4/5

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The 1975.

The 1975.

Follow THE 1975
Instagram – Twitter – Tiktok

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The 1975.




Press Release 7th March 2023 (below) HERE

Secret Sounds presents

THE 1975
AT THEIR VERY BEST
AUSTRALIAN TOUR

WALLICE
announced as special guest

+ extra tickets released
in Melbourne

Tickets on sale now at secretsounds.com

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The 1975.

THE 1975
‘AT THEIR VERY BEST’
Australian Tour Dates

with special guest WALLICE

Saturday 8 April 2023 – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth *sold out*
Monday 10 April 2023 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre (Arena), Adelaide *sold out*
Tuesday 11 April 2023 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne *final tickets*
Wednesday 12 April 2023 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne *final tickets*
Friday 14 April 2023 – Aware Super Theatre, Sydney *sold out*
Saturday 15 April 2023 – Riverstage, Brisbane *sold out*
Sunday 16 April 2023 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney *final tickets*

TICKETS

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