Gig Review: 'The 1975' At Their Very Best tour- OVO Hydro Glasgow, 19th January 2023

Matty Healy taking to the Hydro stage. Picture source: Heather Dunlop

The 1975 returned to Glasgow, their first time since 2019, to play the highly anticipated sold-out show at the OVO Hydro on the 19th of January. Opening for the band was Bonnie Kemplay, a smaller Scottish artist from Edinburgh, her set was the perfect soft alt/indie start to get the crowd warmed up.

As the curtain dropped and the fans screamed out in excitement, we were exposed to their impressive stage set-up – a chaotic 1970s-style living room, with countless TV’s, lamps, stairs, and doors. The seven members of the touring band were introduced on screen as they graced the stage. They turned on the lamps and hung up their coats before assembling their positions.

In true Matty Healy fashion: he drinks his wine straight from the bottle, sits himself at the piano and lights up his cigarette before opening the show with The 1975 from their newest album 'Being Funny In A Foreign Language'. Throughout the concert, Matty Healy commanded the stage with his charismatic stage presence and engaging banter between songs. He's a natural performer and he knows how to connect with the crowd. Healy's energy was infectious, and the crowd was always engaged and excited by his every move.

After a few more songs including 'Looking For Somebody (To Love)', 'Part Of The Band' and 'Oh Caroline', they used a clapperboard reading ‘Glasgow’ to pause the show as Matty spoke to the audience. He explains that he was "struggling", possibly due to ‘too many kisses’ as he had been locking lips with fans across the country. After a much-needed Lemsip, he continues and provides a high-energy show.

Halfway through the set, Healy shocked the crowd with a dramatic performance in front of the camera, he stripped his shirt, chowed into a raw steak before doing push-ups and climbed through one of the set TV’s. The full band returns, fully clothed, and has the audience absolutely mesmerised.

They returned with a bang, singing hits such as 'Chocolate' and a fan favourite, 'If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)'. The audience was in such great spirits all night, but the energy in the second half of the set was unmatched. The band's setlist was expertly crafted, showcasing their best material from across their career. Highlights included 'Love Me', 'Somebody Else', 'The Sound', and 'It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)'. The 1975's music is known for its eclectic blend of genres, including rock, pop, and electronic, and the concert was a perfect example of how the band can seamlessly blend these different styles together.

‘The 1975’ projected on the Hydro curtains. Picture source: Heather Dunlop

Overall, The 1975's concert in Glasgow was an incredible experience. They put on a high-energy and engaging performance that had the crowd on their feet from start to finish. The band's setlist was expertly crafted, showcasing their best material from across their career, and the lighting and visuals were spot-on, adding to the overall immersive experience. It was a fantastic concert, a 1975 concert is highly recommended live if you have the chance.

★★★★★