Matty Healy Is All For Playing Shows In Places That Don't Share His Views

The 1975 aren't afraid to voice their opinion when it comes to politics, whether it be by condemning abortion bans (and supporting Planned Parenthood campaigns) or kissing male fans during a show in Dubai. Their music is also becoming more political — the opening track of their new album Notes on a Conditional Form features teenage activist Greta Thunberg and the recently released lead single, "People," is a full-on, in-your-face punk song. This progression is not accidental, and during an interview with NME, frontman Matty Healy discusses how he feels it's his job to play to fans who aren't represented by their government.

When asked if he had reservations about performing in places that don't share his ideologies, he didn't even hesitate. “No, because there are definitely people here that the victim of those oppressive ideas, and I’m not a diplomat or a politician," he said. “It’s like the Palestine/Israel thing – I would go and play both places. Not because I’m taking a side but because there are young people there who are not representative of the government, and I believe that in countries that may be war-torn or separated due to political ideologies, the only thing that unifies people is culture and art.”

He also lamented meeting fans in places like Dubai — many of whom were teenage girls — who weren't allowed to attend his recent concert there. “I’ve been meeting so many kids walking around and I’m like, ‘Are you coming to the show?’ And they’re like, ‘Oh, I can’t, my dad would not allow me, or my religion doesn’t allow it,’ and all that kind of thing,” he said. “So that’s sad because I think that art is for everybody. But I understand that I’m quite a – I don’t know what I am – an outspoken… bisexual… I don’t know, whatever I am. So they’re probably not really into my vibe over here, the dads.”

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