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Feb 18, 2025 By Candace McDuffie Photography by Press shot: Steve Gullick / Live photos: Tracey Miravite Web Exclusive

There is nothing simple about Fran Healy. The Travis frontman, 51, has devoted his life to the art of songwriting–a talent that has kept the group together for decades. Travis’ 10th album, “L.A. Times,” was released last year and chronicled his tumultuous time in Los Angeles. Healy still resides there, even though he isn’t necessarily the city’s target demographic.

“[L.A.] is a weird place because on paper it’s very like…people rollerblading in Venice and playing tennis in Hollywood,” Healy tells Under The Radar Magazine. “I was sitting on a flight maybe three years ago and there was one of those adverts on the TV screen on the back of the seat in front of you. There were pictures of downtown LA and people out shopping–and I’m like what?”

According to the musician, this wholesome depiction stands as a direct contradiction to his experience. “Walking downtown? You just don’t do it–my studio’s there, I’ve been carjacked there or attempted carjacked there…it’s just a crazy town.”

Healy’s experience since moving to the City of Angels in 2017 is far more complex than that. He also was targeted in a horrifying road-rage incident, was forced to confront a man who had broken into his home and witnessed someone be fatally struck by a car. Healy transformed his suffering into art not just on “L.A. Times” but also an American tour that wraps up this month.

During their Chicago show at Salt Shed earlier this month, Healy’s storytelling abilities were on full display. From the enthralling opener “Bus” to throwback gems like “Driftwood” and “Love Will Come Through,” a broken leg couldn’t stop the singer’s fervent stage presence from captivating onlookers.

Healy and company effortlessly glided through an esteemed discography containing hits like “Writing To Reach You,” “Side,” “Sing” and “Raze The Bar.” There was enough time in the night for the star to reflect on his injury (he fell off a stage), talk about heartache (the sentiment that guided songs like “Good Feeling” and “Selfish Jean”) and mock American President Donald Trump.

Healy says jotting down his thoughts have accelerated both his professional and personal life. “I kept a journal from when I was 12 until when I became a dad. That’s kind of where it stopped. I don’t know if it’s becoming a dad [that] stopped it, or maybe it was the internet. Writing a lot on my computer became the new journaling thing…it does help,” he claims.

His creative process isn’t about trial and error as much as it’s about following his instinct and seeing where it leads him. “I never sit down and go ‘I’m gonna write a song about my dad beating my mom up when I was little’. I never, ever sit down with an idea…you have to sit down and try and write melodies. It’s lots of digging and each thing that comes out of you is rubbish, rubbish, rubbish.”

Healy doesn’t allow this painstaking practice to deter him.

“If you write enough rubbish things in a row, you’re like ‘I can’t do this’ and that’s when your ego’s out of the way. That’s when…the song comes through. You feel kind of this nice feeling when you have a song that’s expressive and that has a pulse. This world that we live in is hyper stressful. Music really heals. It’s like a cure–and that’s probably why I do what I do.”

At the Salt Shed, attendees felt grateful to bask in all of Travis’ glory which featured an encore of “The Beautiful Occupation,” “As You Are,” “Flowers In The Window” and “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?” Between Healy’s vulnerability and the group’s passion for delivering a quality performance, the set was made even more savory by the fact it was over a decade in the making.

“We’ve been away from America for 14 years. Our old manager–in his infinite wisdom–didn’t want us to play [there] because it never made money for him. When you see a British band from Europe in your country, be sure that they are coming to see you. They’re not coming to make money because they never do.”

Even though he’s been a part of Travis for nearly three decades, Healy never underestimates how live music touches the lives of others.

“This is an absolutely proper gig where the band comes together to deliver these songs and press your buttons. Hopefully, you get your buttons pressed and we give you a decent show that’s good value for money.”

He proudly reminds concertgoers of his gratitude for performing well into his 50s in a difficult and unpredictable industry.

“I say it actually every night in the show: music’s so accessible now but you bought a ticket. You paid a little bit extra money to come and see [Travis] and that’s what keeps music alive. So thank you–that’s what I’d probably want everyone to know.”