THE 1975: Live at BB&T Pavilion
By Grace Shaver
I’m not sure if there’s anything I look forward to more than seeing artists I love perform live. Usually, it comes after months or years of listening to their music and having incorporated their art into my everyday life. My favorite albums become staples in my daily routine, and when I see those albums come to life I’m immediately inspired. I know it’s cliche, but certain artists and songs have changed my life for the better, and I believe that to be true for a considerable amount of people. Most concert-goers can agree that there is no feeling like the captivating thrill of singing along to your favorite songs in the presence of the artists who created them alongside people who love their music as much as you do. The rush experienced at The 1975’s recent concert in New Jersey was exactly that: an incomparable feeling.
I was fortunate enough to score general admission tickets for the pit at the BB&T Pavilion, and the first thing my friends and I did upon our arrival was get our wristbands, which simply said: “Entering Moshing Area Is At Your Own Risk.” Once we shuffled along and found comfortable spots, we waited for the night to officially begin. LAUNDRY DAY kicked things off with their upbeat song Harvard. I personally love LAUNDRY DAY and their work, but it was clear that a lot of people in the audience were not familiar with them. However, LAUNDRY DAY still brought their absolute A-game. They were incredibly energetic and enthusiastic throughout their entire set. They encouraged the audience to dance with them, and although people may have been unfamiliar with their lyrics, everyone was still able to enjoy their performance and jam out.
MUNA followed LAUNDRY DAY and added fuel to the fire that was the night’s high energy atmosphere. More people had filed into the audience by the time MUNA began their set with Number One Fan and were having a blast. The members of MUNA played off of each other’s energy beautifully and interacted with one another confidently. Lead singer Katie Gavin’s vocals were incredibly strong, and when she steadily held a note for an extended period during Stayaway, there was a collective sense of amazement shared by everyone at the venue. MUNA fostered a safe place for the audience to enjoy themselves as their authentic selves. Everyone danced unapologetically, especially when MUNA ended their performance with a rendition of I Know a Place. Before beginning their final song, Gavin elaborated upon the concept behind the piece: a place that existed where one could come as they are and do as they please. The sentiment was appreciated by the crowd and people danced unapologetically.
Two hours after LAUNDRY DAY had started the evening, The 1975 found their way to the stage. The venue was sold out and the 7,000 people there could not have been more excited. They began with People, their punk-like single from this past summer, which prompted the first mosh pit of the night. Their set consisted of songs from their most recent album, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, along with a plethora of popular songs from their past including She’s American, Robbers, Paris, Sex, and Chocolate. For Sincerity is Scary, lead singer Matty Healy put on his signature hat (the one he wore in the music video) before dancing about the stage and tossing his bunny-eared beanie into the audience. He prefaced Love Me with a discussion regarding his sex appeal: apparently, he’s confused by the reaction his hip-swinging elicits. The audience danced and sang along with the band during each and every song. When they performed their slower ballads, like fallingforyou and I Always Wanna Die Sometimes, people may have stopped bopping, but they swayed and sang passionately. The entire building was overcome by a sense of serenity. However, whether the song The 1975 was playing was lively or calm, one thing was always true: The 1975 delivered a dynamic and evocative performance. At one point, Matty had a lit cigarette brought to him. Later, he sat at the front of the stage to watch the visual that coincided with their track The 1975, in which climate change activist Greta Thunberg delivers a call for action.
The 1975’s songs are as diverse as their audience. The people at their concert Saturday night were all incredibly unique, but each and every person was enthralled by The 1975’s presence. Whether crowd-surfing or crying, the common denominator was the music, and it was beautiful. The energy that encapsulated the venue was unforgettable: people were just entirely present. The 1975 has cultivated a community of individuals that appreciate their spirited aesthetic and artistry. The great quality of their shows is due to their attention to detail and determination. Their art is substantial because they care about their projects and the people who support them. The shows they put on provide their fans with an immersive experience they’ll never forget. I will forever remember how it felt to stand alongside thousands of people and sing and dance my heart out… it truly was incredible- just like The 1975.