The 1975, 02 Academy Brixton, review: Witty, astute lyrics prove this band are here to stay

Fans already seem to know all the lyrics from the new album, despite the fact it only came out the week before

The 1975 singer Matt Healy's appeal to his teenage fans has been unfairly dismissed by many critics (Rex Features)

In June 2015 there was a mass panic on Twitter prompted by what appeared to be a sign that The 1975 were about to break up.

Nine months later and frontman Matt Healy is belting out “Love Me”, one of the new album’s most ostentatious nods to the 80s which kicks off the night with its infectious pop-funk riff, complete with neon lights and a backdrop of the city.

Fans already seem to know all the lyrics, despite the fact the record only came out the week before (an overwhelmed-sounding Healy will later announce that it just entered the charts at No.1).

The setlist indulges the band’s knack for a ballad – “Somebody Else” precedes “Robbers” – but also showcases Healy’s talent for crafting a hit – the band intersperse new material with “Chocolate”, “Sex” and “Girls” from their self-titled 2013 debut.

Flying around the stage with a glass of wine glued to his hand, Healy’s obvious appeal to these 5,000 shrieking teenagers has been dismissed by many critics as a sign that the band only produce mediocre pop. Actually listen, and you’ll hear the witty, astute lyrics that bare his soul – The 1975 are here to stay.