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Behind the scenes: Why The 1975's latest tour is the biggest music event of 2022
The 1975 once again proved their influence on the music industry as they toured in support of their latest album Being Funny in a Foreign Language. This tour is called "At Their Very Best", with a total of seven stages, including 93 performances, throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. Although the British indie art-pop band's tour was postponed due to the impact of the epidemic, they finally returned with an impeccable live performance that has won praise from audiences and critics.
"This is a new blueprint for defining how to do large-venue shows."
This tour was written and directed by lead singer Matty Healy, and the overall concept and production have received enthusiastic reviews. Healy's performance has attracted particular attention, as he combines personal stories with social issues in an effort to show different aspects of male identity. Critics unanimously agreed that this performance presented a visual experience that was both entertaining and artistic, and Rolling Stone even called it "the most impressive live performance of 2022."
Background
With the original "Music for Cars" tour in 2021 being canceled due to the new crown epidemic, The 1975 revived in 2022 and announced their fifth album "Being Funny" on June 29 in a Foreign Language" and was officially released on October 14. Subsequently, they announced the dates of the North American tour on August 3, and confirmed performances in the United Kingdom and Ireland on September 1.
On February 13, 2023, the band announced that it would hold a special concert regarded as "their largest ever British lead performance" at Finsbury Park in London.
Concert Overview
This performance is not only a concert, but also a visual and psychological journey. The entire stage design simulated the interior environment of a suburban home, designed by the orchestra's regular collaborator Tobias Rylander, and was equipped with antique furniture, bedside lamps and an old-fashioned TV equipped with an LED screen, showing the visual effect of the concert. The sides of the stage include a large spiral staircase and a roof inspired by Healy's song "I Like America and America Likes Me."
"The first half of the show explores the realities and unreality of male identity and fame."
The entire performance is divided into two parts: the first part is "The 1975 Presents: Being Funny in a Foreign Language", which one reviewer called "a combination of performance art and stage drama"; and the second part "At Their "Very Best" is a more traditional concert format, covering the band's classic works.
It is worth mentioning that Healy will perform challenging performances on stage from time to time, including performing ten push-ups on stage and demonstrating "consumption behavior" in his personal life, which raise questions about sex, consent and fantasies. amidst the heated debate.
Setlist and special guests
The set list for each performance is different. The following is an example of the set list used for the performance in Brighton, England on January 8, 2023. The tour also featured many well-known musicians as special guests: Phoebe Bridgers, Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift, etc. each gave a unique performance.
"The 1975 is hailed as the most attractive pop group on the planet today."
Reactions and comments
The performance received rave reviews, including five-star reviews from well-known media such as Rolling Stone and NME. Audiences and critics alike praised Healy's performance and its challenge and exploration of contemporary male identity, making it an important topic in the music industry.
In addition, some clips during the performance quickly became popular on social media such as TikTok, further enhancing the influence of the performance. However, Healy's performance in Malaysia also caused controversy, especially his criticism of local LGBTQ+ laws, which led to the failure to continue the performance, triggering a wider discussion about culture and art.
“The strong sound of contemporary music lies not only in melody but also in meaning.”
As the tour comes to an end, the band announced that it will expand its tour plan again and launch the "Still... At Their Very Best" tour in 2023. Currently, the band has the support and expectations of fans around the world. Everything they say and do is pushing the boundaries of the music industry and challenging people's understanding of the completeness and artistry of performance. How will future tours push the boundaries of what we expect from live performances?
