Relatives of Arena bomb victims have slammed The 1975 for wearing suicide vests in their latest music video.
The Manchester-based band released the video for single ‘People’ last week and it shows lead singer Matt Healy, who grew up in Wilmslow, appearing to smile as he presses a detonator whilst wearing the sickening garment.
It has been just over two years since a suicide bomber killed 22 people and left many more injured following a concert by American pop star Ariana Grande .
The attack on May 22, 2017, left the city devastated and in mourning.
Now families of those whose lives were tragically claimed in the atrocity have branded the popular pop-rock band as “disgusting”.
Lyrics of the band’s new track leading up to the controversial scene refer to the global climate crisis in which Matty, 30, says people should “wake up” and “stop f***ing with the kids.”
Matt Healy, who grew up in Wilmslow, appearing to smile as he presses a detonator in the video
(Image: The 1975/YouTube)
The video has been viewed more than 1.7m times on YouTube.
Figen Murray, who has continued to campaign tirelessly for tighter security at venues since the death of her son Martyn Hett, tweeted on Sunday that the band and its frontman should be “very ashamed”.
She said: “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.”
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In response to a follower who branded the ‘split second’ action in the video as ‘insensitive, Figen added: “I know it was only a split second but my son and the others died in a split second.
“That was all it took. Devastated that this is even out there for young people to see as it glamorises suicide bombers. How can that even be circulated.”
Alex Klis, 21, whose parents Angelika and Marcin Klis were among the dead, 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’.”
Now families of the those whose lives were tragically claimed in to atrocity have branded the popular pop-rock band as ‘disgusting’
(Image: The 1975/YouTube)
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Another outraged watcher on Twitter wrote: “Oh wow @the1975 you’re actually f***ing disgusting.
“How disrespectful to every single one of us effected by the Manchester bombing, I’m dumbfounded as to how you or your label thought this was ok!?”
Senior councillor Pat Karney also added to the M.E.N: “I met him 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.”
The band or its management have yet to respond to the criticism.
It comes just a week after Ariana, 26, returned to resilient city for the first time since the One Love Manchester benefit concert held two weeks after the Arena attack.
Ariana returned to Manchester for the city’s Pride celebrations
(Image: Joel Goodman)
The pop singer showed strength as she took to the stage and entertained the crowds at Manchester Pride Live .
She told the sold-out crowd at the event, which celebrates the LGBT+ community: “Thank you so much for accepting and celebrating me the way I have celebrated you.
“I have so much more to say but I’m very overwhelmed so thank you and I love you.”
