Still … At Their Very Best is the fifth concert tour by The 1975 in support of their fifth studio album Being Funny in a Foreign Language, and a follow-up of their acclaimed At Their Very Best tour, featuring newly expanded production. As ADDICTED previously noted, prior to Being Funny in a Foreign Language, The 1975 was known for reveling in excess. However, Being Funny in a Foreign Language saw the group lock in on their fundamentals and produce their most concise and focused record yet. Accordingly, the band replaced computerized production and autotune with studio instruments (there was a specific emphasis on ’80s guitar rifts, pumping drums, and saxophone melodies). As per Apple Music, “this record consists of 11 songs that distil the essence of The 1975 without ever making it feel like they’re treading on prior ground“. They were able to reinvent themselves whilst simultaneously celebrating themselves and never losing sight of who they are.
Last year’s At Their Very Best tour served as a celebration of this album. This year’s Still … At Their Very Best tour made it clear that The 1975 is no less relevant and strong in 2023 than they were since the band’s first album release in 2013. Every aspect of the show, from the production to the setlist, was masterfully executed. Frontman Matty Healy‘s vocals were clearer than ever. The ensemble of main band members Adam Hann, George Daniel, and Ross MacDonald was prominent and captured the essence of The 1975 very well. Auxiliary members John Waugh, Polly Money, Jamie Squire, and Gabi King, all added on-stage song alterations that made the songs sound bigger and hit harder.
It’s rare to see a band that is so committed to creating quality music for their fans and constantly refining themselves to provide even more impressive live experiences. The 1975 remains a must-see act.
The full setlist of the night was as follows:
- The 1975 (Being Funny in a Foreign Language Version)
- Looking for Somebody (to Love)
- Happiness
- Part of the Band
- Sincerity is Scary
- Oh Caroline
- I’m in Love With You
- A Change of Heart
- An Encounter
- Robbers
- All I Need to Hear (Tim Healy on Vocals)
- fallingforyou
- About You
- Consumption (Edvard Grieg‘s Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16: II. Adagio)
- Be My Mistake (Acoustic; Matty Healy solo on B-stage)
- Streaming
- Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America (Polly Money on vocals with Matty Healy)
- If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)
- TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME
- Heart Out
- It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)
- The Sound
- Somebody Else
- The Ballad of Me and My Brain (Fan Request)
- Love It If We Made It
- Sex
- Give Yourself a Try
- People (B-Stage)