The 1975 at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

By Anya Baxter.

Ever since critically acclaimed north west England icons The 1975 embarked on the "At Their Very Best" tour, it has been impossible to avoid the buzz online. However, nothing could have prepared the audience for the night that was in store for them in Liverpool.

Photo by Jordan Curtis Hughes

Dividing the night up into two halves, the band began with songs from their latest offering 'Being Funny in a Foreign Language'. With the stage dressed to look like a house, an element that is famed on social media, Adam Hann, Ross MacDonald, and George Daniel, entered through a door at the rear of the stage, each turning on lamps throughout the 'house', followed by touring musicians. Frontman Matty Healy arose from the couch centre stage, as if waking from a deep sleep. And so the elaborate "facade" began. As Healy lit a cigarette and took a swig from a flask, the band set to work on "Looking for Somebody (to Love)", entering the crowd into what would be a phenomenal night of pop rock hits.

Photo by Jordan Curtis Hughes

Healy staggered about the stage, slurring his words through "Part of the Band" and "Oh Caroline", wholly convincing audience members he was completely drunk, until he said "cut it there" into the mic and the crew, dressed in white lab coats, rushed onto the stage, destroying the "illusion". This elaborate spectacle was displayed in such a quiet and calm manner, however it can't be ignored how much thought and precision must have gone into creating such an entertaining and unique show.

Photo by Jordan Curtis Hughes

Following "I'm in Love With You" and a Charlie Chaplin cover of "Smile", the band played through more of the tunes from the widely adored recent album, before presenting the viral "About You", featuring a vocal solo from touring musician Polly Money. At this point, the band exited and Healy proceeded to eat raw meat and perform press ups, before crawling through one of the television screens set up on the stage.

Photo by Jordan Curtis Hughes

When the band returned, they welcomed the audience to the "At Their Very Best" tour, and the tremendous drunk performance was dropped, and replaced with The 1975's greatest hits, beginning with "If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)". Matty Healy is a showman if there ever was one, continually entertaining the crowd with conversation, having just pulled off an incredibly intricate facade.

Photos by Jordan Curtis Hughes

The fans were thrilled to witness the tour debut of "She's American", followed by hit "It's Not Living (If It's Not With You)". Bringing the audience into a carefully measured vote, based on the decibels of screams, the band encountered their first tie of choice of songs to play, and so gave the crowd both of the songs they had cheered the loudest for, "Menswear" and "Paris".

Photo by Jordan Curtis Hughes

Early 1975 hit "Robbers" came next, prepping the crowd for the stream of favourites that would follow - "Somebody Else" and "The Sound" to name a few, before closing out the night with "Give Yourself a Try". And with that came the end of one of the most incredible live shows I have had the pleasure of attending. Anyone who has the opportunity to see The 1975 live in concert should absolutely do so, for there is no possible way for anyone to be disappointed.

Photos by Jordan Curtis Hughes