The 1975 criticised by Manchester bombing relatives after detonating fake suicide vest in video
Written by News on 03/09/2019
The 1975 have been criticised by relatives of the Manchester Arena bombings after lead singer Matty Healy detonated a fake suicide vest in the band’s new music video.
He grins and flashes a thumbs up as he hits a detonator and explodes into Facebook and Instagram likes in the video for new single People.
The video, which has had more than 1.8 million views on YouTube, is full of flashing lights and quick screen cuts, and appears to reference the global climate crisis in the lyrics.
The musicians are all former pupils of Wilmslow High School in Cheshire, and are now said to be based in Manchester.
Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett, 29, was one of the 22 people murdered in the deadly attack on 22 May 2017, tweeted: “The 1975. Matt Healey…..what the hell were you thinking of releasing a music video where you carry a suicide vest and blow yourself up.
“You are from Manchester. Be ashamed….be very ashamed. It is disgusting and an insult to the 22 people murdered.”
Alex Klis, 21, who lost her parents Angelika, 39, and Marcin, 42, told The Sun on Sunday: “I expect better, especially from somebody who is from Manchester.
“Putting yourself in a suicide vest is so insensitive.
“Terrorist attacks are not something you use to make a music video look ‘cool’.”
The 1975 have been contacted for comment.
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After an outpouring of criticism from fans claiming Ms Murray was “attacking the band”, she tweeted to clarify her position: “Band should not be banned or penalised in any way other than please just take that couple of seconds out. This is not a witch hunt against the band. Just asking them to respect the feelings of some of us.”
She also said she is starting an MA in counter-terrorism in two weeks.
Speaking to Manchester Evening News, councillor Pat Karney said: “I met him [Healy] at Parklife and he is a nice guy so I’m not into any witching.
“He has made a terrible mistake with this and Manchester wants him to withdraw it.”
It has been more than two years since Salman Abedi detonated a suicide vest in the foyer area of the Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 people.
Grande returned the the city on the August bank holiday weekend to perform in the city for the first time since the One Love benefit concert held in the wake of the attack.
(c) Sky News 2019: The 1975 criticised by Manchester bombing relatives after detonating fake suicide vest in video
