Last week, The 1975 played two shows in Uptown’s iconic concert venue the Aragon Ballroom and we were present for their second stop in Chicago. The band has been touring in support of their excellent sophomore album, which reached #1 in the US and UK, I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it (Dirty Hit / Interscope Records).
The concert was a fine demonstration of the major Pop potential of this band. Lead singer Matt Healey is a mesmerizing figure that enamors audiences with his charming stage presence and his “Sexually confused Edward Scissorhands” demeanor. Not to mention The 1975 have a catalog of undeniable synth-Pop Rock tunes that can get a crowd moving like few others can, which were accentuated excellently through a complex, multi-screen light show.
The set list pulled from both of their records, with certain tracks getting introductions by Healy that included touching messages and/or elaborate light displays. Before kicking into “Loving Someone,” the row of individual lights at the foot of the stage covered the band from sight, instead projecting a wall of colors representing a rainbow. The crowd exploded for songs like “She’s American” and “Somebody Else.” For the latter, the pastels lighting the ballroom helped set the mood of a sad goodbye that’s portrayed in the tune, while Healy’s performance and dancing gave off some serious Michael Jackson vibes.
“Girls” turned the place into a dance fest with those jangly guitars; hands were everywhere and hips were swaying along with those. As soon as they kicked into “Sex,” the crowd erupted and the Aragon turned into a Pop Punk madhouse, propelled to insane heights thanks to the strobe lights and the energy of the audience… you couldn’t tell who was louder, the fans or the band, and the lights were flashing faster than you could blink.
For the encore they delivered two softer jams in “Me” and “I Believe You.” This second track was very nearly the greatest moment of the night as the UK outfit delivered a performance that felt like a super lit sermon. The gospel tinged track got the fans singing backing vocals like they were supporting the band as its church choir. And then there was set closer, “The Sound.” The upbeat song brought the house down and there was no better way to end the night than with one more all-around dance party session.
To give you the best idea of how the night played out, here’s my favorite overheard line that was delivered by a fan walking towards the exit after the show: “I’m proud because I made it through the song barely tearing up.”
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