Frontman of The 1975, Matty Healy, has posted a fake political ad to promote the band’s US tour dates, which get underway this week. Why? And why so late in the day? Hard to say. But he’s done it. That is an inarguable fact.
In a voiceover set to images of construction workers, school buses, hospitals and more - some of which feature Healy himself dressed as a politician - he says in the Instagram post: “Here in the heart of America, we know that redemption is more than just a word. It’s a promise we make to ourselves and to each other”.
“Our nation’s story is one of second chances, of forging a path forward even in the face of mistakes. It’s about rebuilding what’s broken, healing what’s wounded, and coming together to create something stronger than before”.
“But redemption isn’t just an abstract idea”, he continues. “It’s something we see every day in our communities. It’s the single parent working two jobs to provide for their children. The veteran who finds purpose in serving others. And the neighbour who lends a hand when times are tough”.
“As a nation, we must embrace redemption in our policies and in our actions. We must reform our criminal justice system to focus on rehabilitation, not just punishment. We must ensure that every American has access to quality education and affordable healthcare, so that opportunities for redemption are within reach for everyone, instead of the few”.
“Together, we can build a future where no one is defined by their past, where everyone has the chance to contribute, and where compassion is the way for progress”, he goes on. “I believe in an America where redemption is more than a distant dream. It’s a reality that we create every day, hand-in-hand”.
“Join us in this journey towards a better tomorrow”, he concludes. “We can write a new chapter in America’s history. Together, here, on the ‘Still… At Their Very Best’ tour”.
So, yeah, it makes no sense and looks like it was quite expensive to make. I’m sure Healy would tell you it’s very clever though.
Anyway, this video arrived following the latest controversy surrounding the singer, after he made an off-colour joke on X.
Tweeting from an account separate from his main one on the platform, he referenced the indie rock supergroup Boygenius, made up of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus.
“I told Lucy Dacus that Boygenius had inspired me and [The 1975 drummer] George [Daniel] to start a new band called Girlretard”, he wrote. “I don’t really hear from her that often”.
Dacus reposted the tweet, adding: “You don’t hear from me at all”.
Following that, Healy posted that “this never goes well” and then deactivated the account.
