Live Review: The 1975, Circa Waves

The 1975 put on a dazzling and ethereal performance at Thebarton Theatre on Saturday night.

Utilising an effective and minimalist stage production that ramped up the desired mood and atmosphere whilst also sealing over the tight aesthetic of the band, whose intention to and execution of creating a passionate connection with the crowd rang true, it could be felt even from the very back of the theatre, let alone by those cramped tightly against the metallic stage barrier, many of whom had lined up for a number of hours sailing into double digits.

It was inherently understandable why Circa Waves were chosen to support The 1975. Also hailing from the UK and working a similar style to the headliner it made sense. Unfortunately they’re a lot less interesting, with bland songs doing a lot less to gather interest than the lauded pop stars that would follow them. In all honesty, and as a musician, the guitarist Joe Falconer is the only member that presents as intriguing to watch or listening to. Who knows whether it’s more distasteful that there are a large demographic of Australians buying into the emphatic English accents?

Where Circa Waves lacked in musical ingenuity it was evident within the first few songs of their performance that The 1975 have a vastly more talented frontman for one, and to compliment this he actually possesses a degree of musical ingenuity to form the bed rock underneath. The appearance of Matt Healy, who is approaching a level of being unanimously attractive, instantly incited screams from the girls in the crowd. His effeminate voice is uniquely penetrating, proving easy to connect with and capable of igniting emotion.

The 1975 have effectively crafted their own sonic space and occupy it confidently. Poppy guitar lines bop over dare I say grungy bass lines creating an orbital flavour surrounding their lynch pin drummer, whose precise heavy hitting keeps everything together. Healy makes love to the stage in his finest moments, and it was clear he allowed the music to overcome him as he sipped a bottle of red and smoked a few fags. If not channelling other frontmen, The 1975 were definitely channelling LCD Soundsystems’ All Your Friends way too closely when they wrote their single, Sex. Bar this minor gripe, The 1975 put on an intimate and entertaining show.