THE 1975 - Live in Melbourne 2023
Written by: Adrianne Armida - Sense Music Media | Wednesday 12th April 2023
All photos by: Jordan Curtis Hughes >> VIEW GALLERY
Tattooed lyrics and handmade signs At Their Very Best
Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena was absolutely packed for THE 1975’s At Their Very Best Tour on April 12th. As always, black is the official shade of the fandom, with the occasional burst of white only coming through for those in suits with ties, mimicking THE 1975’S latest aesthetic. A truly mesmerising affair, tattooed lyrics and handmade signs filled the arena, a display of dedication that was to come for the night ahead.
When the lights dropped, a giant spotlight hit the stage and the atmosphere became almost overwhelming with excitement. I could feel my heart leap in my chest as I eagerly awaited MATT HEALY’S long-missed stage presence. The band don’t immediately come onto the stage, but rather introduce themselves via a live black and white video from their dressing room. HEALY sitting down by the dressing room mirror and the band standing behind him waiting to lead the way, he talks candidly into the lens, making light jokes and conversation until he reaches the stage to commence the show.
Two things I did notice were the missing famous 1975 house and lead HEALY’S stage presence, which was slightly off. He displayed a sense of melancholy that for me, seemed to gradually grow throughout the show a little more than usual. Whilst it added a layer of emotional depth, it had me wondering what was at the forefront of his mind for the entirety of the show. He is known for his love of performance art, chiefly incorporating it into this tour, but if this was part of it I guess I will never know. Regardless, HEALY’S vocals were powerful and passionate, conveying every lyric with an intensity that left the audience nothing short of spellbound. The rest of the band also gave an outstanding performance as always, with tight musicianship to the point they often moved in perfect unison without even intending to. One thing nobody can take away from THE 1975 is they sound even better live and only improve with every tour.
The crowd at Rod Laver Arena was so emotionally connected, perhaps more than at any other 1975 show I've seen. Throughout the night, fans sang along to every song, filling the arena with their voices. At multiple times throughout the night every single person turned on their phone lights, transforming the arena into a sea of stars. No prompt, just because they felt it in the moment. The emotional connection between the band and the crowd was unbreakable, with both feeding off each other's energy to create an unforgettable and truly beautiful experience.
The setlist for THE 1975's Melbourne concert was carefully curated to take the audience on an emotional journey, even though HEALY said the night’s set list was going to be very boppy. Those who are avid listeners know even the bops are some of their saddest and deepest pieces. No complaints there, though! The show opened with ‘The Birthday Party,’ a track that set the tone for the night and telling the fans to expect a bit of everything. MATT HEALY’S tender vocals made for a sweet and soft start to the show. I think opening this way is actually incredibly smart, because the hype will only build with every song after - which is exactly what happened. Following the opening, the band launched into ‘Love Me,’ an upbeat, INXS-esque track that had the crowd dancing and screaming along in die-hard fashion.
As the show progressed, the band seamlessly transitioned between their hits and deeper cuts. Iconic ‘Robbers’ had the audience swaying back and forth with their phone lights once again held high, only dipping slightly when it was time for everyone to scream “NOW EVERYBODY’S DEEEEEEAD,” in what has become a staple at 1975 shows. ‘Somebody Else’ as expected was a standout moment of the night, with Healy's emotive vocals conveying the heart-wrenching lyrics with his legendary raw vulnerability. He had the crowd sing the entire first verse, which typically is something that annoys me if artists do it a lot, but for THE 1975, it’s a rare jaw-drop of a moment because the crowd is so dedicated to that song, it’s hypnotic to see the power it holds over the crowd and for HEALY no doubt.
Their new songs already hold as much status as their staples, with ‘Oh Caroline’, ‘About You’ and ‘I’m In Love With You’ sending my eardrums into overdrive. The love for their album Being Funny in a Foreign Language was written all over the faces of fans, with tears and smiles on tap. There is so much pressure to keep delivering, especially when you already have so many iconic pieces, but THE 1975 aren’t slowing down on that front any time soon. Even HEALY himself said they had such a hard time picking the set list because there’s just too many to choose from. What a spectacular problem to have!
The show's climax came during ‘The Sound’ toward the end, with the Arena performing another 1975 staple, which is jumping in unison during the big guitar solo before the final chorus. Absolutely unforgettable, no matter how many times you experience it! Ending with a message of hope, ‘Give Yourself A Try’ had everyone the palm of their hands - a perfect send off. The setlist captured their emotional range so flawlessly, as well the emotional depth they are capable of eliciting from their fans, making for one of the best and most unique concert experiences a music lover can have.
The Verdict
Talent and emotional depth were as present as ever on this stop of the tour. Stage set or not, it’s their ability to connect with their fans on a personal level that’s what makes them one of the most exciting and enduring live acts in music today. If you have the chance to see them live, I implore you - don't miss out.
4 STARS
All photos by: Jordan Curtis Hughes
Click below to view the FULL GALLERY
