THE 1975 – LONDON, O2 ARENA

I have only ever seen The 1975 once, and that was back at Reading Festival this past summer. At that time I was a bit distracted by the fact that I miss my 1D family so I didn’t get to enjoy the concert to the fullest. Last night however, was a completely different ball game.

As we got to the venue early myself and my friends headed over to buy some merchandise and then get food at Five Guys, which was just the perfect start to the evening. When we were all there we headed for our seats. Sadly our seats were not all together as two of us were sat down on 108 and the other four were up on 407, but we still managed to have a wonderful night.

The evening started with Japanese House playing some songs, of which I knew one and sang along proudly. Their drummer is just completely mind-blowing and amazing. The vocals were on another level as well. They were without a doubt the perfect opener for The 1975. Their half an hour set seemed maybe one or two songs a bit too short as we then had the standard half an hour changeover to wait.

At five minutes to nine the famous 1975-buzz-noise started and you could feel the energy and excitement in the crowd. I will say, that even though this noise is a very clever move on their part as it does get the crowd excited it is a bit too long, five minutes would be enough, no need for ten. Then the end of the buzz-noise came and along with it the band stepped on stage.

The set list was perfectly planned starting with The 1975, Love Me, UGH!, and one of my personal favourites Heart Out. M.O.N.E.Y. got the crowd excited and dancing, and Milk left everyone impressed.

Before playing Loving Someone Matt Healy (lead singer) talked about Trump, Brexit and other shit things that have happened politically in the world this year but how we should’t just get angry, how we should all come together as one and be compassionate and take care of one another.
They then quickly lifted the spirits by playing She’s American and I could see my two american friends with my American flag up on 407 jumping around living for and in the moment, which made my heart all warm and fuzzy.

Somebody Else didn’t come far after She’s American and it made me sing along so loud I thought I was going to loose my voice. When they finished that song Matt asked everyone to put their phones away for just the one song and for us all to be right there in the moment, so everyone obliged and listened as they played fallingforyou and I couldn’t help but hold my loved ones hand and really feel the love in the room. Keeping us in that warm and fuzzy place they then went on to perform a song written in and about London that they ironically called Paris. Finishing with Sex before they stepped off stage.

I will never understand why people leave before the encore. Yes, getting out of the venue and on the tube with a whole arena worth of people isn’t ideal but you’re missing a solid five songs, and normally they save the best songs for the encore.. Anyway, back to the concert.

The 1975 performed four songs on their encore, starting with Medicine which I have been informed isn’t on any of the albums. The crowd turned in to a sea of lights and love as Matt cried and mouthed the words “Thank you so much, I love you” at the end of the song. I can honestly say that hit every fangirl right in the feelies, myself included. They then played If I Believe You, Chocolate, and my all time favourite The Sound. You can bet your sweat ass I was jumping around having the time of my life by the end of the concert.

Originally published here.

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