In mid-2012, The 1975 released their first EP,
Facedown, despite the fact that they had started the band eight years before. Fast forward two years, three more EPs, and a debut album, The 1975 are now playing the final show of their headlining tour in Cleveland on December 16th.
The foursome nearly filled the city's historic Masonic Auditorium with a crowd of screaming girls, begging to get their hands on a floppy-haired, Manchester-raised Matty Healy.
But while they waited, the opening bands, Young Rising Sons and CRUISR, took the stage to entertain. Young Rising Sons (Interscope Records), an alternative rock bunch from New Jersey jammed through a set filled with dance-inducing songs, including a cover of Modern English's 80s hit, "I Melt With You". Vocalist/guitarist, Andy Tongren, kept each song soulful, while he and guitarist Dylan Scott teamed up to create a more poppy sound. While Steve Patrick pounded the kick drum, the crowd danced and raised their arms to the whistling "High".
CRUISR (Vagrant Records) cruised through their set, rarely speaking to the crowd, except to introduce themselves and gauge the excitement for the main attraction. Their two strong points, "All Over" and the finale, "Kidnap Me", made the crowd bob their heads and sway as the electricity in the theatre mounted. This four piece is the quintessential opener (this was their first time out on the road) that will soon be making their way to many headliners of their own.
After ten minutes of an ambient ringing that started as a hum but soon rang out onto E. 36th Street, The 1975 came onstage to the piercing screams of an auditorium brimming with girls, while drummer George Daniel beat away on his drums. The five, neon boxes behind them glowed and flashed through each of their 80's pop-infused, ethereal rock tunes. The lights and smoke made it seem as if the entire crowd was dancing in the clouds and that they were never coming down.
Perhaps the showstopper was saxophonist John Waugh, who has been referred to as the fifth member of the band. He made several appearances throughout the night, including "Heart Out" and "Me". He can wow a crowd into a mesmerized lull without ever uttering a word; the sweet notes speak for themselves.
The band's setlist was a constant ebb and flow of poppy dance tracks, countered by a few dreamy songs that induced a few hands to wave their lighters. Their hit, "Girls", was the last song to move the crowd as they made their way off the stage, but not before Matty had shared his thoughts on the constant touring they had put themselves through. "Ever since we've been a band, we haven't stopped this. It's brilliant," he delivered, perhaps making it too obvious throughout the night that they were relieved to finally have a break.
Waugh returned for a somber "Is There Somebody Who Can Watch You", as the band stepped back onto the stage for the five song encore. They continued the celestial vibe with their new single, "Medicine", but perhaps the crowd felt most alive during "Robbers", as a few held up bandannas as they bellowed, "Babe, you look so cool," to the sky. For the second time during the night, Healy asked the crowd to put away their phones, but not in the act of some "arbitrary designation". Guitarist Adam Hann initiated the band's possible most well-known single, "Chocolate", as the crowd squeezed against the barrier to dance.
After saying their goodbyes to both the crowd and the tour, The 1975 broke out into "Sex", Healy ironically wailing, "And this is how it starts." As the final note rang out, Healy, Daniel, Hann, and MacDonald threw their arms around each other and bowed. The metaphorical curtain had just closed on a tour that had made them rivals of today's greatest British rock AND pop groups. As they rest and prepare to make a sophomore album, it is safe to say that The 1975, even at moments when they fall short, are ready to take on the world.
//Angelia//
photos by Sheridan
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