Every band has a story. Each artist to top the bill at the legendary Reading Festival has been on a journey to reach this point. Every British act that's found their name at the zenith of that poster will have taken a moment. And yet, for tonight's headliners The 1975, it feels ever so slightly different.
That's the key word when it comes to The 1975. Different. While so many of their peers would strive to hit some career goal, for them, it's more of a calling. Of course, they've always been heading here, but there's something at their core that still makes the prospect daring.
Maybe it's the juxtaposition that sits at the very heart of their band. More than almost any other, every aspect of their world seems perfectly pitched. Reading hasn't seen a more impressively staged show than this - there's no need for lazy fire and brimstone when you look this good - yet none of it feels safe or overly pre-prepared. It's innate; born of instinct, not focus-grouped to follow a trend. Frontman Matty Healy is never less than compelling, a mix of emotions and raw honesty, which never feels truly safe in the best possible way. They're two things that should rarely be found in the same place, and yet with The 1975, it's a contrast that sets them apart. From the opening stabs of the 'A Brief Inquiry...' version of their self-titled theme, there's a tangible electricity in the air. A spark that sets light as they launch headfirst into new track 'People'. Debuted only a day before, it's daring, confrontational and ever so slightly mad, but perfect for Reading Festival. It's easy to forget where The 1975 came from - a band of scrappy pop-punk covers that evolved into something altogether different, but with the same addictive personality at their core.
From there on out, it's back to back proof that no band feels quite as in the moment right now as The 1975. Visibly taken back by how "mental" the position find themselves in is, theirs is a repertoire built for this moment. 'Give Yourself A Try' still feels like a raw adrenaline shot, while 'TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME' is a top pop bop perfect for Reading's 2019 vintage. 'Sincerity Is Scary', 'It's Not Living (If It's Not With You)', 'Love Me' - the first part of tonight's set is rammed with crowd-pleasers. In terms of their suitability for the job, there's nothing left to prove.
