The 1975: “Still… At Their Very Best” Tour

The 1975 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 14th. Credit: Erin-Leigh Hoffman '24

Love them or hate them, The 1975 know what they are doing.

Let’s be clear. The 1975 have been together for 20 years and are performing at their peak. Their performance at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 14 is indicative of this.

This round of shows called the “Still… At Their Very Best” tour, is the band’s fifth tour that accompanies their 2022 record “Being Funny in a Foreign Language.” This tour is markedly different from previous tours by The 1975 for the emphasis on the theatrical performance that Healy primarily leads. 

A commentary on the modern world along with a reflection of Healy’s life with heavy emphasis on the meta elements of it all (TV’s flashing strange messages, the phone game Subway Surfers playing split-screen on the jumbotron as Healy performs to keep the audience's attention, Healy cuddling up to a true-to-size naked bust of himself in a fetal position on a grass plot, the usual.)

The name of the game is to engage with the content of the record whilst working in theatrical elements like a full stage setup to resemble a home. Healy meanders and stumbles throughout this home with a bottle of booze and a lit cigarette. He croons through set-list selections, drawing off a cigarette or taking swigs out of a flask. Other times throws himself around and dancing wildly, or he’ll speak with the crowd and become a pseudo-influencer, selling a  BetterHelp subscription to the audience with promo code “Sorry75.”

When Healy is not selling you therapy, the group selling the aspect of what The 1975 is sometimes overlooked for: the musicianship. As the curtain fell and the stage was revealed for the first time, the set begins with “The 1975” off of “Being Funny in a Foreign Language.” Healy comes stage right to flip a giant switch to light up the stage, then a warbling piano line begins as the screen displays the names of the band as they enter the stage, almost like a sitcom entrance. Neon lights spark on displaying “Still… At Their Very Best” behind the band.

They each arrive at their posts to begin their next song “Lookin’ For Somebody (To Love),” a deceptively happy and 80s-inspired synth song with lyrics like “But the boy with the plan and a gun in his hand was/ Lo-lo-lo-lookin' for somebody to love” where bassist Ross MacDonald shines in the catchy off-beat riff throughout the song. Later in the set, Healy makes his way into the middle of The Garden on a grassy plot to play “Be My Mistake” which places Healy and his guitar alone in front of 10 thousand people. His vocals are sincere and emotional with an ability to let the guitar take a backseat to his unique tamber and supported range. A deeply emotional song made all the more powerful from its delivery.

Shortly after this, Polly Money, the latest edition to The 1975 on guitar and vocals, took over for Healy and performed an equally heartfelt rendition of “Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America” from their 2020 record, Notes on a Conditional Form. It is a moment that highlights the diversity of the group and their ability to expand their sound. In my opinion, the best part of the show that evening doesn’t come from Matty Healy himself but instead from his father, 71-year-old Tim Healy.

Tim is in a suave, blue tuxedo on stage with sunglasses on, mirroring what his son would be seen in (this is done on purpose). Tim sings their song “All I Need To Hear” with his son playing piano for him. Tears stream from Matty’s eyes as the song peaks at its bridge flashlights from phones lighting up the stadium. A tender moment that's unique for a band known for their propensity for irony.

From the top of the set to the moment the house lights come on and the band exists, The 1975 put on a polished performance. A mix of their earliest hits to their recent releases shows a range of genres many bands don’t (or refuse) to have. To mix theatre and a rock concert is a bold move, but the stage design, lighting, mixing and everything else together make it a show that is authentic to the variety of the band itself. The 1975 are at their very best.