The 1975 At Their Very Best in Pittsburgh, PA
By Madalyn Schaller
Making one last stop on one of the most iconic tours of 2022, the Manchester-based band, The 1975 closed off their tour in Pittsburgh, PA. On December 17. The band played their last show of “The 1975 At Their Very Best” Tour at the Robert Morris University UPMC Events Center. This being their first tour back in the US since the pandemic, fans were over the moon to see them play live, some were even committed to getting in line around seven in the morning, despite the negative temperature!
Once doors opened, and the show began, it was like the fans never left their home as the stage portrayed what looked like the entire inside of a house including two levels with working lamps, a tv, lounge room area with a couch, and even some holiday decorations.You could hear what sounded like a car pulling into the driveway, followed by locking up noises with lights blinking in through a window. The band entered the stage one by one and taking their place in separate rooms, front man Matty Healy along with other members guitarist Adam Hann, bassist Ross MacDonald, drummer George Daniel, and guitarist/backing vocals Polly Money. The screams from the fans filled the venue straight away as Healy began to sing and tease at the cameras for the big screens.
By Jordan Curtis Hughes
This concert started to feel more like a theatrical performance as the night went on, with the first half of the show being hits from their fifth and newest studio album, Being Funny In A Foreign Language. Smoking cigarettes and clinging onto a bottle of wine, Healy seemingly looked to be “falling apart” on stage,which to the unfamiliar eye may seem off, but throughout the set you begin to see that it’s part of the “act”. Matty was explaining to the audience how the understanding of lyrics can be different for everyone as well for the artist. Knowing we’ve all felt embarrassed at one moment or another, Healy spoke to the fans letting them know it’s important to take risks and be sincere. Picking the show back up, the band members began to exit the stage, Healy ended “When We Are Together” with just his guitar and the fans’ vocals. Leaving others in their seats to wonder if they were going to play any of their older classics.
During a small set change, Matty Healy was solo on stage having a sensual moment on the couch before disappearing, leaving the room floored by these motions and some newer fans with question marks above their heads. Progressing to the second half of The 1975’s set, all the members re-entered the stage with Healy coming out last in the classic suit and tie starting off, “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)”. Continuous screams filled the night between songs and the energy of the whole room manifested. There were even some interactions Healy made with fans– reading signs and going into the pit to speak with them at the barricade. Giving them a chance to have control of the show, Healy asked the crowd to cheer if they would prefer to hear “Paris” or “A Change of Heart”. Cheers were so loud, they had a sound crew member read the decibels and by just one measure off “Paris” won with 113dB.
By Jordan Curtis Hughes
The night continued and nearing the end, it began to feel like that classic pop concert everyone experiences at one point in their life. Continuing to play hits off of prior albums the room was full of this overwhelming emotion, and in one moment the whole room was jumping together synchronously. Healy stated that it’s hard being the “best band in the world” and after that performance one could see why. The 1975 puts their all into their shows and truly does make it feel like more than just a concert. When attending their shows, you can feel the connection between them and their fans, and being that Pleaser is from fans for fans we decided to interview some of their Fans At Their Very Best!
PLEASER: What’s the best thing about coming to a 1975 concert?
Fan: The environment, because you know everyone is here to see them. When you’re out in the world it might not feel like a lot of people know them. But then you come to a show and everyone is here for them.
Pleaser: Which songs are going to make you cry hearing live tonight?
Fan: The 1975 (BFIAFL) , Robbers, and Love It If We Made It
Pleaser: What song made you discover The 1975, and was there a lyric that stood out?
Fan: The first lyrics I ever heard were “Get in the shower if it all goes wrong” from The City.
Pleaser: With there being a recent shift in energy from “pre-pandemic shows”, did this night feel different from prior shows?
Fan: No, it was a night of people gathering to view their favorite band that impacted many throughout earlier years, or even recently to come together and take in each song.
Pleaser: What was your favorite moment of the night?
Fan: I’ve been wanting to hear Happiness live, so I would say that!
Pleaser: Why do you think Matty Healy is acting the way he is on this tour?
Fan: Specifically this tour he is the way he is because we have given him A LOT of confidence. If you look at his stage presence from before he seemed more uptight and cocky, but not in a bad way just now the fans have given him that place on stage where he can be fully confident and himself.
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By Jordan Curtis Hughes
