The 1975 undoubtedly puts on an amazing performance at each of their concerts however, I was extremely nervous going to their show on December 5th at the Fillmore. With the change of the band’s colors from black and white to hot pink and their 80’s pop sounding single “Love Me”, I was not sure if I would like the new direction the band was taking. However, it turns out I had no reason to fear change. Having been to three of their previous concerts, this was the best one yet. With heaps of new additions and a ton of change to the band’s aesthetic, I have to say this was my favorite.

Their dramatic change from a black and white backdrop and dim lighting to a vibr

nant, fluorescent theme was an excellent decision on their part. Ditching the bland yet cool colors for bright created a lively ambiance and made the concert just generally more fun. Each song had its own individual backdrop, the colors ranging from hot pinks and bright greens to cool gray. The ever changing lighting and background added to the quality of the performance and meaningful lyrics being sung. This stood out specially when one of their most iconic yet emotional songs, “Robbers” was played.

On this most recent tour, singer Matthew Healy, drummer George Daniel, guitarist Adam Hann and bassist Ross MacDonald have chosen to perform in more intimate, smaller-scale venues. Healy even explained during the concert that this tour was for the “real fans who have been here since the beginning.” I personally love smaller venues and being in such a confined

space with your favorite band and fans similar to yourself, so this alone sold me. Although I chose to stay towards the back because of the tightly packed crowd in the front, the entire gig felt extremely personal. Matty’s speeches and slurred words touched my heart more than ever and whilst looking around, I could tell they had the same affect on each fan as well.

In addition to the recent changes, the band also performed four new songs that will be released with the new album, I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It coming out in February. Having been to three of their concerts already; I have heard the same songs being performed over and over from their debut album The 1975. However, the new songs they performed, “She’s American,” “The Sound,” “Somebody Else,” and “Change of Heart”, provided a taste of what the new album will sound like. I personally thought the songs were amazing and although Healy, “did not want to bore” us when he announced he would sing the new songs, not one fan, including me, reacted that way. All of us were dancing as if no one was watching to the new songs, and they really enhanced the entire experience.

All in all, even with the various changes the band has made, The 1975 are the same band I fell in love with. Matty Healy still gave his same speech about “being in the moment”, and to put our phones away to enjoy the experience. The band still wore their symbolic black and white clothing even with the new brightly colored aesthetic, and sang and danced to their old favorites the same way they always did. No matter what you think of the new additions to the band’s look and sound, their concerts remain nothing less than fun. Everyone, including the band, dances shamelessly to the music and lyrics are screamed at the top of their lungs. This concert goes down as one of my favorites and will always have a special place in my heart alongside the band.