"Saturday Night Live" is known for debuting well-known artists’ new singles during their musical performances for every show, including Kanye West, Tom Petty, U2, and many others. On Feb. 6, 2016, a not-too-well-known musical guest went on stage performing two new singles during the show which was hosted by Larry David and Bernie Sanders was a guest. This band, the 1975, conjured up a well-lit and animated performance, proving that even an underdog can get a crowd excited just as well as the more popular artists.
The 1975 is an edgy, alternative rock band from the UK, consisting of four ingenious members: Matthew “Matty” Healy, the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist who is a personal favorite of many; Adam Hann, the lead guitarist, who does a marvelous solo; George Daniel, the band’s outstanding drummer; and Ross MacDonald, the 1975’s bassist who provides the band with heart-thumping rhythm. This band came into subtle fame around 2013 after debuting their first self-titled album.
Nearing the launch of their newest album, "I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It," the 1975 produced an electrifying show that characterizes this band’s approach to set it apart from the performances one would usually watch.
The first song played, “Love Me,” illuminated the stage in hot pink while Matty Healy nodded his head and flipped his hair as the intro of the song progressed. Matty plays the guitar in this song, while shaking his hips to every verse of the new album’s first single. George Daniel drummed in the back, acknowledging Matty as he danced towards George during Adam’s guitar solo. Though this solo was stunning as it always is, Adam Hann’s solo in “The Sound” was one of the 1975’s best.
Then the band played, “The Sound,” a spunky tune perfect for those who love to jump along to the right song. Hann’s heavy guitar strumming accompanying Healy’s playful temper was just the right mix of passion and fun artists should have, especially on the SNL stage. One can just see the happiness on Matty’s face, as his hand gestures during every verse enforced the emotion, despite being dressed head to toe in black. Let’s not forget George and Ross. Both were head banging to every bass thump and drum beat as “The Sound” filled the room with energy and pleasure.
The heart pumping intensity of this act was not only something new for SNL, but an enormous expansion of the 1975’s musical career. Though SNL’s musical appearances are usually of the most noted artists, bringing a lesser-known group into the mix was a great move on SNL's part. This magical blend gives hope to black sheep artists around the globe. Alternative music is making a comeback from the 90’s, just as these rockers are ready to take the world by storm.
