Live Review: The 1975, The Japanese House

This time last year The 1975 immersed Thebarton Theatre in pulsing black and white light. A year later, and over two years since their debut album, they maintain a strong hold over their adoring fans. The Manchester band has begun the process of reinventing their image. Now the monochrome aesthetics are replaced with bright colours.

The sold out crowd desperately tried to cool themselves, but no amount of fanning or water could distract from the heat. The Japanese House, also known as Londoner Amber Bain, lulled the crowd into a dream with her throbbing electronica. Joined on stage by her drummer and guitarist, Bain replicated the lush vocal layers, pulsing beats and sparkling guitar from her latest EP Clean. Although calming, at times the heavy vocal effects masked her voice.

A suspenseful drone filled the theatre and the screen flooded with pink light. The 1975 emerged to shrill screams, launching into Love Me, a taste of their forthcoming second album I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It. The crowd hung onto every word, especially older tracks such as Heart Out, Settle Down and The City. Eyes followed frontman Matt Healy as he slinked across the stage, clutching a half-filled wine glass, his curly hair flopping into his face. Many regard him as pretentious, but he showed genuine care for his fans, always making sure they were comfortable. "A proper show, with proper people," Healy declared.

Healy sweet-talked the crowd into not looking at their phones so they could 'experience something' during the down-tempo Me and Falling For You. New songs included the soft ballad A Change Of Heart, Somebody Else and latest release The Sound. With its '80s vibe and a bold synth-pop chorus, the band was hesitant to release The Sound, but the crowd drank it up.

After Girls, the encore began with Medicine, which featured more of that sultry saxophone, before ending with the massively popular Chocolate and Sex. The night was a thank you to fans and a teaser of what is to come. There is something intoxicating about The 1975. Even if they're not your favourite band, when you're witnessing them live they are everything to you in that moment.