Live Review

Belief and saying something: The 1975 headline Reading Festival 2019

Sincerity is scary but change isn't.

Published: 8:17 am, August 24, 2019 Words: Ali Shutler. Photos: Patrick Gunning.

The lights dim, ‘The 1975’ (‘A Brief Inquiry version’) plays out and Matty Healy bursts into laughter. Not too long ago, the idea of The 1975 headlining Reading Festival was laughable. Hell, the last time the band topped the bill at a UK festival, it almost broke them. But things have changed recently and there’s been an air of inevitability around The 1975 headlining tonight. But still, despite the acclaim and the numbers, it feels a touch ridiculous. As the band kick straight into the cluster fuck of ‘People’, it’s pretty clear why. ‘People’ isn’t the sound of a band trying to broaden their appeal. It’s a gang connecting to their roots and remembering when they felt young, invincible and like they wanted to set the world on fire. They never want you to lose that spark. Back in the day, The 1975 played in garages, covered Fall Out Boy and had a whole other existence as the grungy emo thrash of ‘Drive Like I Do’. The music may have changed but The 1975 have always been a punk band.

Thing is, they’ve also always been so much more. When people didn’t listen, they just put their heads down and did things their own way. Before they were the biggest band in the country, they always believed in themselves. And people found themselves in that. It’s why the connection between band and crowd is so electrifying. Tonight, when Matty grabs the camera and sings down the lens, it’s intimate. He’s talking directly to each and every person. Just like he’s always done. It’s why the rattle of ‘Give Yourself A Try’ feels so uplifting. Matty jumps for joy, unsure what else to do with his body. ‘TooTimeTooTimeTooTime’ sees the group become the most shiny pop band around, complete with dance routines and giddy, infectious choruses. They go where they want. As much as they’ve been leading the conversation in Guitar Bands for years, (we’ve lost count of the number of bands trying to emulate them), there’s really no one quite like them. Name a more bonkers opening trio of songs than is played tonight. Go on, we’ll wait. Divisive, unapologetic and brilliant, it’s an inspiring celebration of doing things your own way. And they’ve only just begun.