Pandora’s annual holiday themed party continued again in 2016 with a free show headlined by one of the most buzzed about bands of 2016, The 1975 When I attended their free show a couple of years back I caught Kiesza and a few other musicians. But this year’s slate was more exciting given that The 1975’s latest album I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It has been in the Top 10 albums of the year on many lists and their hit single “The Sound” ranked #4 on PopMatters‘ own “Best Songs of 2016” chart.
A multitude of corporate sponsors are recruited to put together the free night but the auto parts sponsor seemed most of out place as likely the majority of the millennials in attendance don’t have cars in NYC. But branding didn’t stop guests from scurrying about to achieve “activations” and earn random freebies. At the same time, openers Bishop Briggs and Bastille warmed up the crowd as people came in out of the cold, rainy night into the cavernous Pier 36. The lead singer of Bastille even ran off stage and into the crowd for a portion of his set.
But the highlight was The 1975 and their nonplussed lead singer Matthew Healy. During “A Change of Heart” he casually smoked a cigarette. But Healy is quite capable as a frontman and led the audience through a short set (listed below). The 1975 did save the best for last — they turned “The Sound” into a sing-along. What better way is there to get into the holiday spirit than a sing-along?
The 1975 setlist:
Love Me
UGH!
A Change of Heart
Loving Someone
Somebody Else
If I Believe You
Girls
Chocolate
The Sound