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Bastille say NSFW music video for 'Good Grief' isn't gratuitous: 'Female nudity isn't controversial'

Christopher Hooton
Tuesday 05 July 2016 07:05 EDT
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A still from the video
A still from the video

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Apparently some YouTube commenters have been complaining about the brief glimpses of naked flesh in Bastille’s new video, at least enough for the band to get asked interview questions about it.

Defending the NYSU-directed ‘Good Grief’ to Digital Spy, frontman Dan Smith said: “The video is all about surrealism. It's an extended dream sequence. It's been really interesting reading comments from my perspective.

“Some people are bringing up the nudity and other people are immediately jumping to its defence saying it's not sexualised and it doesn't feel exploitative."

The video involves a lot of weird and wonderful shots, including one of a woman’s body dressed up as a vista of hills and valleys.

"The music video takes scenes and tropes and flips them on their head,” Smith added of its creative ambitions. “One of which is a girl and I think it's interesting to see the reaction it provokes. In some countries and some societies, female nudity isn't remotely controversial."

"It wasn't gratuitous,” bandmate Will Farquarson added. “I think it's well in keeping with the tone of the video."

‘Good Grief’ is taken from Bastille’s new album Wild World. You can read our interview with the band about it at Glasto here.

Buy tickets for Bastille at the O2 here.

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