The 1975 have been ordered to pay £2 million in damages for breaching a contract with a Malaysian music festival after lead singer Matty Healy kissed his male bandmate on stage in protest against the country’s anti-LGBT laws. The Good Vibes festival, organized by Future Sound Asia (FSA), was cancelled due to what FSA described as Healy’s abusive language, equipment damage, and indecent stage behavior. The festival’s headliners, The Kid Laroi and The Strokes, did not perform as a result.
FSA stated that they had received a written assurance from the band prior to the show that their set would comply with all local guidelines and regulations. However, during their performance in Kuala Lumpur, Healy made a speech about homosexuality, which is illegal in Malaysia, and proceeded to kiss bassist Ross MacDonald on stage. FSA held The 1975 responsible for the cancellation of the three-day event and demanded compensation.
In response, FSA issued the band with a letter of claim, calling for acknowledgment of liability and compensation for damages. The organization later specified that they were seeking £2,099,154.54 in damages. A source close to the band emphasized that Healy has long been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and that the act was a show of support for their LGBTQ+ fans and community.
Malaysia has strict laws criminalizing homosexuality, with imprisonment as a potential punishment, and lacks legal protections against discrimination and hate crimes for the LGBTQ+ community. The cancellation of the festival sparked controversy and discussions around the clash between international artists’ beliefs and local cultural sensitivities.
Future Sound Asia expressed the desire for closure and aims to move forward in a way that addresses the impact on the affected Malaysian community, including small businesses and local artists who relied on the festival for creative opportunities and their livelihoods. The FSA stated that if their final warning is not addressed, they will initiate legal proceedings in English courts.
This incident is not the first time Healy has used an on-stage protest to criticize anti-LGBTQ+ laws. In 2019, during a concert in the United Arab Emirates, another country with strict laws, he kissed a male fan. Following his actions in Malaysia, the Malaysian Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil criticized the rude act and ordered the festival’s immediate cancellation.
The controversy surrounding The 1975’s breach of contract highlights the complex intersection of artistic expression, cultural sensitivities, and human rights issues. While the band’s intention was to support the LGBTQ+ community, their actions have prompted legal consequences and ignited a broader discussion about LGBTQ+ rights in Malaysia.
