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Matty Healy's stage charm: How he challenges the image of modern men through performance art?
On their fourth tour, At Their Very Best, British indie art-pop band The 1975 once again revolutionize the audience's understanding of the modern male image. The tour, in support of their fifth album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language, included 93 shows in total across America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. This performance, choreographed and directed by lead singer Matty Healy, received high praise from major media outlets and pushed performing arts to new heights.
"This is a story about a modern male star, exploring how a person faces his role and loneliness."
Healy’s performance was more than just a concert, it was a profound social observation about the intersection of masculinity, fame, and personal identity. Using every element on stage, from set to action, he explores what is real and what is fake. Through the stage design, the audience is placed in a simulated family environment, which not only reflects his personal emotions, but also symbolizes the expectations and pressures on men in contemporary society.
Story and Design
The show's set design was inspired by the "cozy" American suburban home, an image that designer Tobias Rylander contrasted with Healy's staging. The show is split into two parts: the first part, "Being Funny in a Foreign Language," is described as "a combination of performance art, stage play, and a Charlie Kaufman film," while the second part is a more traditional concert format with a greater emphasis on The 1975 's musical journey.
“The first part of the show is about me. It’s about the psychological issues that arise when you’re a single man, alone online.”
Healy not only showcased his musical talent in his performance, he also bravely challenged the stereotypes of modern men, and his stage actions shocked the audience and made them think. His behaviors, such as eating raw steak and performing physical challenges, all explore the expectations between masculinity’s vulnerability and strength.
The impact of social mediaThe response on social media was enthusiastic, with clips of the performance quickly going viral on platforms such as TikTok, further sparking discussions about modern masculinity. Rolling Stone noted that Healy's performance was a "subversive and surreal view of modern masculinity," but that this nuanced and rich emotional layering is often lost on social media.
"His performances liberate both women and men, challenging simplistic notions of masculinity."
This performance is not only a musical feast, but also a cultural phenomenon. Healy challenged society's portrayal of what men should be, and his stage performance truly sparked public discussion. Many viewers responded that Healy's behavior was undoubtedly a redefinition and exploration of the modern male image.
Emotion-based interaction
Healy’s direct invitations to audience participation, such as inviting them to kiss him during his performance of “Robbers,” sparked debate and led to reflection on issues of consent and personal boundaries. Although these actions are somewhat controversial, Healy always maintains an honest interaction with the audience.
"To deny a performer's behavior is to deny the audience's right to choose."
For example, during the US tour, Healy improvised an “iM a MaN” tattoo on himself, which again sparked heated discussion among the audience and became a classic moment on the scene.
Closing Thoughts
The challenges and intersections presented by Matty Healy in this tour make the audience rethink the positioning of contemporary men and their true feelings when facing internal and external pressures. All this makes his stage performance different from the traditional one, both entertaining and thought-provoking. As this challenging expression becomes more prevalent, we should perhaps ask ourselves, are modern society’s expectations of men reasonable?
