An old clip of The 1975 frontman, Matty Healy, making an appearance on some vintage British telly in what looks to have been his first-ever TV interview has been unearthed on social media and he even shows off some of his early dancing chops.
The London-born, Wilmslow-raised and still regularly Manchester-based singer, songwriter and guitarist is one of the biggest music names around and The 1975 is, without doubt, one of the biggest bands on the planet right now. They’ve come a long way from playing this city’s intimate venues back in the day.
However, it would seem the equal parts charismatic and often controversial frontman knew he was always destined for a career in entertainment all the way back in 1999 when he appeared on the BBC show, This Is Your Life.
I mean, having two well-known actor parents definitely didn’t hurt but even still, you could tell this lad was born for the stage.
Sat in the studio audience with family as he watched on at his father Tim Healy (Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Beniform, Waterloo Road) and mum Denise Welch (Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Celebrity Big Brother), a then nine-year-old Matty was quizzed by host Michael Aspel about his designs on showbiz.
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Quickly confirming, “Well yeah actually, I do, but Dad, I might not be as good as you at acting but I’m simply a better dancer”, his father was quick to agree, “You certainly are, son”.
The long-running biography show, which ended all the way back in 2007 after 43 series, then rolled a VT of Healy doing his best Michael Jackson impression in a white shite, black trousers and black shoes and a black fedora as he danced along to the King of Pop’s iconic track ‘Bad’.
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While he hadn’t quite mastered the moonwalk just yet (that came later), you could see the same kind of showmanship then as he has gone on to relish today, with his mum giggling and applauding throughout and dad Tim quick to give him a kiss and a cuddle. They shared a similar moment 25 years later when his dad joined him on stage for a surprise performance.
After seeing Matty Healy as a kid, several joked in the comments below the video, “our little nepo baby”, “The way he still has some of the same mannerisms and moves when he dances on stage”, and, “Imagining the future of my Aries child if I encourage his little ego…”
In fact, this wasn’t the only time the British public saw a Matty Healy on telly as a kid, as even before he scored himself a little cameo on Waterloo Road like his dad, he once again appeared on another episode of This Is Your Life a year later when the programme returned to focus on mother, Denise.
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Speaking then, he told the programme that he’s made “pretty good progress playing the drums” — the role he used to play in the very early days of The 1975’s formation — and was hoping to buy his mum “a new Bel-Air mansion” once he became successful.
You can see more from both that episode down below and his first appearance in full HERE.
Young Matty Healy didn’t just like dancing, he also wanted to be a ‘top-class musician’.
Kacey Musgraves announces massive Manchester arena show early next year
Danny Jones
Country star Kacey Musgraves is returning to Manchester after what feels like forever away from the city, with a brand-new album and a run of live dates.
The female singer-songwriter is one of the most successful female musicians on the country scene, and after a little while away from the UK – barring a recent pre-album launch show down in Kingston – the Texan artist will be coming back to the North next year.
In support of her latest record, the sixth studio Kacey LP, the ‘Middle of Nowhere Tour’ will kick off in Glasgow, before Ms Musgraves makes her way to Manchester city centre.
One of just three British cities named as part of the leg, we can count ourselves lucky.
Hailing from the Southern US town of Golden, Middle of Nowhere, serves as the follow-up to 2024’s Deeper Well (DW), with the solo star now having won multiple Grammys and CMA Awards.
Speaking on this latest project, with finally dropped at the start of May and was immediately met with a positive reaction from fans, even after her lead single, ‘Dry Spell’, she said in a statement: “I started this record while still in the throes of DW after going through a pretty ridiculous breakup.
“The bulk of the record was made during the longest single period of my life, and I found that for the first time, it actually felt incredible being alone and existing in a space not defined by anyone else. I needed that period to really understand that I really don’t need someone to be happy.
“I became fascinated with the concept of liminal spaces, both geographical and emotional. We don’t linger in these spaces long enough. We rush to define where or whatever is next.
“I had a lot of time for reflection, clearing, and leaning into my roots in different ways […] heartbreak-soothing traditional Country music brought me comfort when I was sad.”
Coming to the AO not just for her venue debut but a very first arena slot here in Manchester, we CANNOT wait to hear these songs live for the first time.
Kacey goes on to add: “This album has a lot to do with borders. Unique things brush up against the edges of other things, and the way those melt together makes something new.
“My favourite artists are pretty genreless and have subtle infusions of so many things. But at the core of it, there’s a specific and linear feeling you get in your heart from it.”
Those looking for early access can do so by joining either her official mailing list or via the Arena’s specific venue presale window, which will open from 10am this Thursday, 14 May.
As for general admission, tickets to Kacey Musgraves here at AO Arena in Manchester in February 2027 will be available from the same time the following Friday (15 May). You can get ready to grab yours when go live right HERE.
Country really is having a huge moment right now, isn’t it?
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via AO Arena)
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A beloved Manc gig venue is hosting a special afterparty following Manichester tribute festival
Danny Jones
A much-loved live music institution in Manchester is set to host a dedicated afterparty for the inaugural ‘Manichester’: the live tribute festival in memory of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.
Seeing the grassroots music scene gathering together in moments like this is the kind of stuff that would make the man himself SO proud.
With Manichester 2026 announced this past March and set to take place later this month in honour of the legendary Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, tickets for the main event sold out very quickly.
This came as no surprise, of course, but now other Manc venues are joining in toasting the life and career of Mani for one very special evening.
Shared by Madchester.com, who are helping organise the Manichester ’26 along with surviving members of the Mounfield family, as well as Mani’s friends and peers such as his brother Greg and Damon Minchella of Ocean Colour Scene, gig space Gorilla are hosting it.
The small-cap live music room, bar and restaurant has hosted many a special night over the past decade or so – hosting multiple War Child charity shows in the past few years, for instance – and even when they’re not hosting a set themselves, they’re always more than happy to join in the celebrations.
With that in mind, there always likely to pay their respects to the late, great and iconic local musician in some way, but now they’re teaming up with Madchester directly.
Positioned as the official ‘aftershow’ following the mini tribute festival, as you can see, there will be just 600 tickets available, with general admission for the main event already gone as mentioned.
At one point, it looked like the kind-spirited and well-meaning idea might be scrapped altogether after some confusion between the organising partners.
Thankfully, that all looks to have been put to bed, and all those involved can focus on what’s important: honouring Mani in the best way possible – with a load of live tunes and a good time.
In terms of those who will be playing on the night ahead of the aftershow, the likes of the equally legendary Peter Hook, Rowetta, The Kowloons, Jon McClure from Reverend and the Makers, plus many more, have been announced as part of the lineup.
There is also still a ‘AAA’ headliner still yet to be confirmed, so watch this space.
As for the Manichester afterparty at Gorilla, keep an eye out on socials for the ticket link to drop and, hopefully, we’ll see you there for a night to remember.
Danny Jones -
12th September 2023 
