Matty Healy makes fun of Taylor Swift during The 1975’s performance at Glastonbury.

At the Glastonbury Festival, Matty Healy, frontman of The 1975, appeared to allude to his recent history with pop star Taylor Swift during a performance on Friday. Healy, known for his charismatic stage presence, made a tongue-in-cheek reference to himself as a “poet,” seemingly a nod to Swift’s latest album, “Tortured Poets Department,” which is widely believed to be inspired by their brief romance and prior friendship.

During his set, Healy quipped about his songwriting prowess, stating with a smirk that he likely qualifies as the best poet and songwriter of his generation. This self-proclamation coincided with the band’s performance of their 2013 hit “Chocolate,” which takes on new significance given a related lyric from Swift’s album that touches upon indulgence in chocolate after smoking.

In addition to his remarks, Healy’s choice of attire caught the attention of fans, particularly a pin of Peter Pan, a character he has referenced in the past and one that features prominently in Swift’s song “Peter.” The symbolism embedded in Healy’s wardrobe choices and comments heightened speculation among Swift’s admirers, collectively known as Swifties, regarding the lyrical connections between the two artists’ works.

Swift’s recent 11th studio album has been dissected by fans and critics alike for what they view as subtle references to her brief affair with Healy, which occurred in the spring of 2023, shortly after her breakup with actor Joe Alwyn. The album features several songs—including the titular “Tortured Poets Department,” “But Daddy I Love Him,” “Guilty as Sin?” and the incisively critical “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived”—that appear to echo themes rooted in their relationship.

Healy’s remarks and the ensuing dialogue surrounding Swift’s album have perpetuated discussions about the complexities of their artistic and personal relationship. In October, Healy hinted again at their dynamic when he remarked in a podcast interview about artists creating narratives around their personal lives, implying that he prefers to steer clear of this trend, despite the allure it may offer.

Currently engaged to model and musician Gabbriette, Healy’s musical collaborations and associations continue to captivate audiences. As the intertwining musical legacies of Healy and Swift unfold, the ongoing discourse signals that their relationship, however fleeting, has left a significant impact on their respective artistic trajectories.

As fans continue to analyze the layers of meaning within their works, it is clear that the intersections between their personal lives and artistic expressions remain a subject of intrigue, promising to fuel ongoing discussions in the music industry for years to come.