Live: The 1975

16th February 2013

The Deaf Institute

8/10

From their comfortable position in the underground scene, this local quartet are finally making a serious bid for mainstream success. After several thematic ‘detours’, they as The 1975, and during 2012 they had released two EPs and commenced on their first-ever headline tour. Since their support slot to Little Comets ar Academy 2 just over a year ago (then as The Slowdown), the four-piece have developed their own eclectic style, combining smooth guitar tracks, electronic indie pop and melodious lyrics about sex, drugs, love and chocolate.

Apart from some complications with the sound system that caused delays, the crowd was still to become restless before The 1975 had taken the stage. The energetic vibe was still present after the boys from Catfish & the Bottlemen had delivered an exhilirating support slot, and handed out free CDs. Met by a fervent crowd, the smile on lead singer Matthew Healy’s face displayed near-disbelief throughout the set. “You guys seem to know who we are”, he said and seemed almost amazed by the response they got.

Right from opening track ‘The City’, the crowd was singing along and the floor was rocking (at one point I was almost afraid it would give in). The as-yet-unreleased track ‘Chocolate’, from their upcoming EP Music for Cars already seems familiar to the crowd, providing the clear highlight of the evening. Healy’s distinctive, intoxicating vocal style amplified the atmosphere. Delivering a short, intense set, The 1975 proved why they might just be the next big thing.