The 1975 made a stop on their tour at Stage AE on Halloween and November 1st. I was lucky enough to get tickets for the second day when Halloween sold out, and I could not wait to see one of my favorite bands for a second time, two years after they made their Pittsburgh debut. My expectations were high for a performance of their newest album, and I was definitely not disappointed.

First of all, the most important thing to know about going to see this band is that it is much more than just a concert. They have their own aesthetic that carries listeners from song to song, album to album. This came into play the last time they toured, when they incorporated their album art into the lighting of the show. The band's 2013 debut album, The 1975, was based on blacks and whites. In contrast, this album was backed by hues of pink and white which created a much happier atmosphere, despite the heavier subject matter of some songs. I, along with the people I went with, was prepared to be blown away by the lighting and aesthetics of the concert, as well as the band's obvious talent.

The concert began, as it did last tour, with a low humming sound. It started about 10 minutes before the show was set to start, and it gradually got louder as time ticked away. There were three rectangles hanging from the ceiling, which because of the album artwork, I knew were going to light up. Along with the humming, they got brighter and brighter while we were waiting. Finally, at 8:30, the humming was at its loudest and the lights went totally black. The band came on and so did the lights and they opened with "Love Me," the perfect upbeat song to get the crowd excited.

I was glad to have my boyfriend with me, not because he has protested the 1975 every time I have played them in the car for the last three years because he "didn't like Matty's voice", but because I knew I was about to prove him wrong. My friends and I tried to convince him that he would not leave the concert without liking something about it, which I would say to anyone who was experiencing them for the first time live. He ended up loving the artistic aspects of the show, and the transitions between more energetic songs, during which they took the opportunity to play ambient pieces like "Please Be Naked" and "I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it."

Matty took a break in between songs to address the crowd early on in the night. He introduced the 1975 as a band from Manchester, as if nobody knew this already. He then began talking about Brexit, and how everyone who did not voice their opinion felt stupid afterwards, because they did not expect it to really happen. He urged everyone in the crowd to vote responsibly and to not be angry at people who seem to support the wrong things. He ended by saying that instead of discussing political issues with hate, we should embrace love, which was a perfect segway into "Loving Someone," where he held up the Pride Flag.

I have a weakness for songs like "If I Believe You" and "Somebody Else," which were so heartfelt and powerfully performed. However, when the band pulled out "Sex," "She's American," and "Chocolate," nobody could contain their excitement. They closed out the show with "The Sound," which is about as upbeat and poppy as it gets. I knew it was coming after pouring over setlist from prior shows, but I cheered and screamed like it was the first time I had ever heard it. Matty told the crowd before the guitar solo that he wanted everyone in the building to jump, and when the moment came, there might as well have been confetti falling from the ceiling. I have never enjoyed a song or an atmosphere as much as I did then, and even my doubtful boyfriend couldn't stand still.

I am so thankful for the chance I had to see such a creative, talented, down-to-earth band for the second time, and I will never forget it.