We’ve got so much time for… Matty Healy
AT A TIME when various male musicians are being accused of sexually exploiting young talent (a documentary has claimed R Kelly has abused dozens of women and another has alleged child abuse at the hands of Michael Jackson), the picture of male power in the music industry has been more than a little depressing recently.
Enter Matty Healy, of The 1975, who used his acceptance speech for Best British Group at the BRIT Awards last week, to urge people to take a stand against ‘male misogynist acts’ in music.
Quoting his friend and Guardian journalist Laura Snapes, he said, ‘In music, male misogynist acts are examined for nuance and defended as traits of “difficult” artists. While women and those who call them out are treated as hysterics who don’t understand art.’
It’s not the first time lead singer Matty – who calls The 1975 a ‘feminist band’ – has criticised the patriarchy. In the video for their song Girls, the Manchester band parodied stereotypes within society and the music industry by using ‘white and skinny’ women in ‘ridiculous lingerie’.
Matty was among a handful of stars calling out the double standards that women face within the industry on the night ( Jess Glynne, for instance, removed her make-up on stage to promote natural standards of beauty).
Matty, we applaud you. Calling out the music industry’s prejudice to a room filled with male producers is definitely a step in the right direction. More of this, please.