Robbie Williams: “Matty Healy is the only one who's different”
The 50 year old Robbie Williams lamented the boring state of the current music scene, praising the frontman of The 1975 Matty Healy marking him as the only commercially viable pop/rock star who is willing to be something other than the prevailing flatness.
In a message posted on his Instagram channel, Robbie wrote: “How boring is the current music scene? I'm not attacking the music itself.
I'm just lamenting the death of friction, of danger, of personality. I admit I've painted myself into a corner trying to chase what's gone. I understand that everyone is scared. No one knows what you'll say that will get you cancelled. No one knows what you have already said or written that will end up with you. There are too many people to offend. Matt Healy is the only commercially viable pop/rock star I can see being willing to be anything other than beige. I really like Matt, he's shocked, super smart, super talented and ready to shock. Shocking for a reason. The reason is a complicated inner life, a rebellious streak, boredom. I need to get some of that energy back in my musical life. Like I said 'too many people to offend', I hope I have time for them all. I can't wait to get back to screwing them again.”
Matty's rebellious actions include banning the
The 1975
from Malaysia, where homosexuality is illegal, after protesting the laws by kissing his bassist
Ross MacDonald
during their concert last summer at the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur. With his bandmates taking the microphone away from him because he was going down too flat with his thoughts on him.
During a concert at the Hollywood Bowl last October, Healy, speaking about his actions, explained that he was only playing the role of a “21st century rock star”, apologizing to those who felt offended by his words.
“Because some of my actions have hurt some people, I apologize to those people and pledge to do better in the future. I think it's also important that I express my intentions, so that everyone knows that there is no ill will on my part. As an artist I want to create an environment to perform in where not everything I do is taken literally. I've put on exaggerated versions of myself on other stages, both in print and on podcasts, in an often misguided attempt to fulfill the kind of character role of the 21st century rock star, it's really complicated. Sometimes pretending is the only way to really find out who you are, you could probably even say that men would rather make an offensive impression to get attention than go to therapy.” .
