https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-1975-matty-healy-felt-pretty-irresponsible-about-dubai-fan-incident-2663179
5 times Matty Healy acted as a political ally
Healy unapologetically speaks up against suppressive laws and governments across the world to create a safe space for his fanbase.
The 1975’s frontman, Matty Healy, has countlessly used his platform to speak up against political and social issues he believes in through live performances and in his songwriting. Healy frames himself as a political artist who uses art to change the world.
“Loving Someone” Speech
During their second London show in 2016 before their performance of “Loving Someone,” Healy preaches to the sold-out crowd about Trump and the political movement happening in America during that time. He talks about his internal confusion after seeing crowds of young liberals every night at shows; after leaving the stage, he experiences conservative ideals he struggles to believe exists after their performances in front of thousands of liberals nightly. He continues, “it’s very sad to see all of these young voices of progression and change being drowned out by regressive ideals.” Healy acts as a voice of progression and an ally for the majority of his band’s fan base: young adults who feel unheard by the older generation in politics. He encourages the crowd to put an end to racist and homophobic ideals he sees his fans fighting to end in the world.
Political Songwriting
Healy not only vocalizes his opinion any chance he gets, but The 1975’s concerts have slowly become political rallies due to the incorporation of politics into their music. “Love It If We Made It” has become a crowd favorite that preaches on racial injustice in America and quotes from Trump that received backlash and disbelief he is a world leader. Their newest album, Notes On a Conditional Form, is Healy’s way of coping with the politics in the world right now and his attempt to show the world he is trying to make a huge change amongst the younger generation. “The 1975” on the new record features Greta Thunberg explicitly discussing the environmental issues occurring in the world and the changes that need to be made to save the dying environment we live in.
Abortion Speech
Days after Alabama passed a law that banned abortions for all Alabamian women, The 1975 performed at the largest music festival in the state, Hangout Music Festival. In front of thousands of Southern music lovers with conservative views, Healy did not disappoint with standing up what he believes in as he gives a passionate speech about the severity and unequal law that was passed. He fearlessly yelled into the microphone, passion evident, “The reason I’m so angry is because I don’t believe it’s about the preservation of life, I believe it’s about the controlling of women.” Like always, he uses his platform to defend drowned out liberals living in a conservative area by giving his viewpoints on inequality affecting thousands of people every day.
Tells Youth to Change the World
In numerous interviews throughout the years, Healy discusses his internal pressure he feels on stage to change the world in his music and on stage. He wants to make a major impact on his audience and reach the fans in the nosebleeds with his lyrics and speeches. On their Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships 2019 world tour during “I Like America and America Likes Me,” a song that protests against gun violence and gun use in America, Healy kneels on stage in front of a kid who was on the barricade in Atlanta and tells him he has to change the world and listen to the lyrics because he’s young enough to start making an impactful change in his culture.
Ally to the LGBTQ Community
Healy makes his opinions very clear, and one of the most popular beliefs he discusses on stage and in his music is his support towards the LGBTQ community. Healy has a fascination with government, so that didn’t stop him from giving a speech during the band’s Moscow 2019 show, a city where homophobia is very prominent. Healy introduces “Loving Someone” with a political speech, “Before we came here, everyone’s like ‘You can’t go play in Russia, Russia’s, like, really homophobic.” He continues by saying he knows the crowd are allies and aren’t a reflection of their government. He isn’t afraid to speak up on unpopular beliefs in the cities he travels to, which is why many fans are attracted to the band—they feel heard by someone who isn’t afraid to receive backlash. From “Loving Someone” live production to holding pride flags where homophobia is prominent, Healy carelessly stands up for those suppressed.