Rina Sawayama looks to have slammed The 1975 frontman Matty Healy yet again in her latest festival performance after he failed to apologise for a number of controversial comments he made on a recent podcast.
Referencing his appearance on The Adam Friedland ShowPodcast, the Japanese-born British singer, actress and model said that she’d simply “had enough” but following Healy brushing over the controversy with what many have described as a pretty insincere response/’apology’, Sawayama isn’t letting it slide.
Taking the stage at the NOS Alive Festival in Lisbon, Portugal over the weekend, she once again put the spotlight on her 34-year-old label-mate by saying, “So I’ve been thinking a lot about apologies and isn’t it funny how some people get away with no apologising ever?”
Rina calls out Healy again and is literally screaming for him to apologise for his comments.
Tapping into the rage of the song, Sawayama goes on to call out Healy for “saying some racist s***, some sexist s***”, adding, “Why don’t you apologise for once in your life without making it about your f***ing self!?”, before the kicking into the rest of the aggressive and specifically chosen track.
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As alluded to, Healy did address the situation by stating that the whole thing “doesn’t actually matter” and that he was simply making jokes on a sardonic podcast, as well as suggesting that “if it does you, you’re either deluded or you are, sorry, a liar.”
He did also go on to apologise to Ice Spice, who was the subject of what many have labelled as racist and body-shaming remarks on the show, saying, “I’m sorry… It’s not because I’m annoyed that me joking got misconstrued but because I don’t want Ice Spice to think I’m a d*ck”.
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A significant part of the friction between Matty Healy and Rina Sawayama beyond the incident is that the singer also belongs to the same record label as The 1975, Dirty Hit Records, of which Healy is also a shareholder and former creative director — hence her previously saying, “he also owns my masters”.
In this latest instance, he appears to hint back at Sawayama’s Glastonbury comments by saying, “So is a micro-aggression something like a——”, before the beginning of ‘It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)’ kicks in.
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As for the podcast from which the controversy originates, Adam Friedland and co-host Nick Mullen have since addressed the ongoing discussion, albeit only in their usual sarcastic and irreverent style, in which they seem to intentionally mispronounce her name and refer to her under the wrong nationality.
Drake adds extra Manchester date to UK tour after ‘unprecedented demand’
Emily Sergeant
An extra date has been added for Drake’s run of Manchester shows next month following ‘unprecedented demand’.
In case you missed the announcement earlier this week, Drake announced that he’ll be coming to Manchester for two huge gigs next month (yes, literally next month), but now following so-called ‘unprecedented demand’, an extra date has been added.
The GRAMMY award-winning and multi-platinum global artist teamed up with fellow Canadian rapper PARTYNEXTDOOR to release their collaborative album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, on Valentine’s Day earlier this year, and now to celebrate the release, the duo are making their highly anticipated return to the UK and Europe.
The arena tour, aptly named ‘$ome$pecial $hows 4 UK’, will kick off on 20 and 21 July at Birmingham Utilita Arena, before Drake comes to visit us Mancs shortly after.
JUST ANNOUNCED @drake Drake returns for the first time in six years. Bringing the $ome$pecial$hows 4 UK tour to Manchester on 25 & 26 July 2025. Support from @partynextdoor.@coopuk Member Presale: 4 JUNE 12:00 General Sale: 6 JUNE 12:00
The Toronto rapper was already set to take to the stage at Manchester‘s newest live entertainment arena, Co-op Live, on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July, following three nights of headlining Wireless Festival at London’s Finsbury Park.
But now, Monday 28 July has also been added into the mix in Manchester.
Following his three nights in Manchester, the tour will then continue across Europe, with stops in Munich, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and more, all before wrapping up on 23 September in Hamburg at Barclays Arena.
The tour marks Drake’s first return to Europe and the UK in six years, following his 2019 Assassination Vacation Tour.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Drake completed his monumental sold-out 80-date It’s All A Blur Tour across North America, featuring special guests 21 Savage and J. Cole.
$ome $pecial $hows 4 UK 2025 dates:
Sunday 20 & Monday 21 July – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July – Co-op Live, Manchester
Monday 28 July – Co-op Live, Manchester
Breaking more records along the way, Wireless announced Drake as the 2025 headliner for all three nights, each featuring unique setlists and special guests, and the festival sold out within minutes – which is the fastest sell-out in its 20-year history.
Drake will be at Co-op Live on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July, and again on Monday 28 July, and in true last-minute fashion, tickets go on general on sale today (6 June).
Or, if you’re feeling a bit fancy, you can have a look at some VIP tickets and packages through SeatUnique here.
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Barry Can’t Swim books huge headline show at The Warehouse Project with unbelievable supports
Danny Jones
It’s another big win for dance and electronic fans in Manchester as the beloved Barry Can’t Swim has been announced as part of the WHP25 programme, revealing a massive headline show.
The Edinburgh-born beat-maker, producer and solo artist has played Manchester before, he’s even played The Warehouse Project before, but nothing quite like this.
Confirming not just his own twin performance, with a full live show and an accompanying DJ set, but nothing short of an incredible lineup of support acts, this event could very well be the best night of the 2025 WHP calendar already.
Not only is ‘Everything Is Going To Be Alright’, it’s going to be bloody brilliant.
21.11 /// BARRY CAN’T SWIM – LINE UP REVEALED TOMORROW 10AM
The full line up for Barry Can't Swim's return to The Warehouse Project will be revealed tomorrow 10AM. Registration for presale access is available – https://t.co/z6yGfAvXSN
Undoubtedly one of Scotland’s biggest music exports in recent years, Barry Can’t Swim – real name, Joshua Spence Mainnie – was one of several acts who absolutely smashed Warehouse Project last year.
Having been shortlisted for the recent Mercury Prize, earned a nomination for Best Dance Act at the 2024 BRITs, being named DJ Mag’s ‘Breakthrough Producer’ award and winning ‘Best Dance Album’ for his most recent record, When Will We Land?, it’s been a great 18 months or so for him.
As it happens, his debut LP was one of our most played on Spotify and favourite albums of the year, full stop, so we were delighted when we got to see his curated show at Depot Mayfield back in November.
Now he’s set to come back to one of Manchester city centre’s leading nightlife venues for one of his biggest and most ambitious sets.
To be honest, with the other names already confirmed as joining him, this is essentially shaping up to be an ultimate club event for us.
That’s right, as well as Barry Can’t Swim‘s own impressive credentials, there is plenty more pedigree on show as part of the second curated evening, with the likes of Chloé Caillet, Prospa, firm favourites Jayda G and DJ Seinfeld, as well as Ross From Friends presents Bubble Love.
Better still, there’ll also be a special ‘b3b’ set (how many times have you seen that?) featuring Etiénne de Crécy, Cassius and DJ Falcon.
Set to land at WHP Manchester on 21 November, Barry Can’t Swim general admission goes live at 10am this Friday, however, pre-sale is available via the venue and for anyone who pre-orders his sophomore studio album, Loner, set to release on 11 July.