The 1975

The 1975 are an English pop rock band known for their genre-defying sound, sharp lyrical wit, and ambitious visual aesthetic. As of 2025, the band is on a hiatus following their 2024 tour, with members pursuing solo projects. They have five consecutive UK number-one albums, a US number-one, and a reputation as one of the defining alternative acts of the 2010s and 2020s.

The band's music spans indie rock, pop, R&B, electronic, and experimental, with frontman Matty Healy's confessional, often self-aware lyrics addressing love, addiction, technology, and politics. Their live shows are known for their theatricality, with neon lighting, minimalist staging, and Healy's charismatic, unpredictable stage presence. The 1975 have cultivated a deeply loyal fanbase that resonates with their vulnerability and cultural commentary.

They have won four Brit Awards, two Ivor Novellos, and the NME Band of the Decade award. Their 2018 album A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships was named Album of the Year by multiple outlets. The band has headlined major festivals including Glastonbury (2024), Reading and Leeds, and Lollapalooza. Rolling Stone has called them "the forefront of modern pop rock."[edit]

In 2002, four teenagers at Wilmslow High School in Cheshire bonded over a shared love of punk and emo music. Matty Healy, Adam Hann, Ross MacDonald, and George Daniel started playing covers in Hann's garage, eventually forming a band they initially called Talkhouse. They spent years playing local gigs, self-releasing demos, and refining their sound.

The band's big break came when they signed with independent label Dirty Hit in 2012. Their debut EP Facedown dropped that August, followed by three more EPs in quick succession: Sex (November 2012), Music for Cars (March 2013), and IV (May 2013). These releases built a buzz in the UK indie scene, leading to opening slots for acts like The Rolling Stones and Muse.

Their self-titled debut album, released September 2, 2013, debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. Lead single "Chocolate" became a sleeper hit, reaching number 19 in the UK and charting in the US. The band's name came from a journal entry in a used copy of Jack Kerouac's On the Road that Healy bought, dated "1 June, The 1975." The album's success launched them into the mainstream, setting the stage for their genre-bending evolution.[edit]

The 1975's sound has evolved dramatically from their early indie rock and pop punk roots. Their debut album featured catchy guitar riffs, synth hooks, and Healy's distinctive croon, drawing comparisons to acts like The Cure and INXS. By their second album, I Like It When You Sleep... (2016), they incorporated R&B, funk, electronic, and ambient elements, creating a lush, cinematic palette.

A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships (2018) pushed further into pop, jazz, and electronic pop, with lyrics exploring technology, anxiety, and modern love. Notes on a Conditional Form (2020) was their most experimental, featuring ambient, garage rock, and a spoken-word track by climate activist Greta Thunberg. Being Funny in a Foreign Language (2022) marked a return to streamlined, guitar-driven pop rock with 80s soft rock and yacht rock influences.

Lyrically, Healy is known for his confessional, ironic, and socially aware writing, tackling topics from addiction and fame to climate change and LGBTQ+ rights. The band's production, led by George Daniel, is meticulous and layered, often blending analog warmth with digital precision.[edit]

The 1975 have been credited with redefining modern pop rock, blending genres and addressing social and political issues in their lyrics. Their music has influenced a wave of alternative pop acts, and their visual aesthetic, neon lighting, minimalist design, 80s-inspired fonts, has become iconic. They have been vocal about climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health, with their 2020 single featuring activist Greta Thunberg.

Healy has spoken at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in 2021, and the band has used their platform to advocate for progressive causes. Their crossover achievements include collaborations with Phoebe Bridgers, Charli XCX, and Taylor Swift. They have headlined major festivals worldwide, including Glastonbury in 2024, and have been praised by critics as "the most ambitious pop-rock band of their generation" (Billboard).

The band's influence extends to fashion, with Healy's eclectic style, mixing vintage, high fashion, and streetwear, often featured in magazines. Their music has been streamed billions of times globally, and they have a dedicated fanbase that engages in charity projects and online communities.[edit]

The 1975's fans, often simply called "the fans" or "the 1975 community," are known for their passionate and creative support. There is no official fandom name, lightstick, or fan color, but fans commonly use mobile phone lights and glow sticks during concerts, creating a sea of lights. Fan traditions include dressing in 1970s-inspired fashion for shows and holding up signs with lyrics.

Notable fan projects include a 2019 campaign to plant trees in the band's name and a 2020 virtual birthday card for Matty Healy signed by thousands of fans. The community is active on social media, particularly on Twitter and Instagram, where they share fan art, theories, and live updates. The band's interactive approach, Healy often engages with fans online, fosters a close-knit, communal atmosphere.[edit]

The band's name came from a journal entry in a used copy of Jack Kerouac's On the Road that Matty Healy bought. The debut album was recorded in a small Manchester studio over six weeks. George Daniel, the drummer, is also the band's primary producer and has produced for Charli XCX and beabadoobee. Healy is the son of actors Denise Welch and Tim Healy. The 2016 album title I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It is the longest album title to ever reach number one in the UK. The band recorded Being Funny in a Foreign Language at Electric Lady Studios in New York. They have a tradition of covering songs like "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction and "Dancing on My Own" by Robyn in their live sets.[edit]