MATTY HEALY PLEDGES TO ONLY PLAY GENDER EQUAL FESTIVAL LINEUPS
“This is how male artists can be true allies.”
Lead singer of The 1975, Matty Healy, has committed to only playing festivals with a 50:50 lineup split going forward. The news comes after the release of the 2020 Reading and Leeds lineup in which only 20% of the acts feature women.
Healy made the promise in a tweet replying to Deputy Music Editor at the Guardian, Laura Snapes, who wrote: “Do it MH, add a condition to your rider that says you’ll only play festivals that commit to X% (ideally 50%!) acts that include women and non binary performers”
Replying to Snapes, he tweeted: “Take this as me signing this contract – I have agreed to some festivals already that may not adhere to this and I would never let fans down who already have tickets. But from now I will, and believe this is how male artists can be true allies.”
Healy’s pledge demonstrates how artists can begin to force change in the industry and will hopefully encourage others to make the same ethical commitment.
The 1975 are currently on their live tour around the UK, with support from female artists Phoebe Bridgers and beabadoobee.
Image Credit: Mara Palena
