Rock ‘n roll photography and music blogging is a hobby of mine that I take very seriously. While I don’t get paid for it per se, and my career as a marketer is first and foremost, it’s something that I put a lot of time and energy into. What makes it all worthwhile for me is when I get turned on to a new band like The 1975 and get to document how they blew the roof off of a jam-packed club and share the experience through text and images.
The 1975 are a Manchester based, breakthrough band of 2013. Having supported The Rolling Stones at Hyde Park over the summer and then scored a number one album with their self-titled debut in September, these guys are just getting started and it’s going to be an exciting story to watch.
I think I have said this a few times in 2013, but this band is incredible, both as songwriters and performers. Their sound falls somewhere between The Killers in their heyday (I say first album) and when Snow Patrol burst onto the scene with atmospheric songwriting that redefined Brit-pop for the majority of us in the U.S. I’m happy to say that it’s happening again.
There are two songs that are destined to be on everyone’s Spotify playlist and hopefully their turntables by year’s end. A jangly undeniably catchy Brit-pop song, which may or may not be about smoking marijuana, called “Chocolate” is leading the way. But the real gem that these guys have going for them is arguably one of the best songs of the year simply called “Sex.”
The live show relies heavily on a black and white contrast as does much of their image online and it works well. The black and white tones set the mood for the music both on and off the stage and the fact that the brought in their own lights to enhance the experience in such a small venue made all the difference when it came to getting the shots you are looking at.
The 1975 are spectacular live and they have crafted a fantastic record here. Bravo to Interscope for picking these guys up and launching the record here in the states. Don’t miss this one folks; and I highly recommend the vinyl.
View more photos from the show in the gallery.
