Meta Description: Discover why Malaysia’s Good Vibes Festival filed a £1.9 million lawsuit against The 1975 following Matty Healy’s controversial kiss with bandmate Ross MacDonald during their 2023 performance.
Malaysia’s Good Vibes Festival has filed a £1.9 million lawsuit against The 1975 after frontman Matty Healy kissed bandmate Ross MacDonald during their headline set in 2023. The act of protest against Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws led to the festival’s cancellation and has sparked significant legal repercussions.
The 1975’s Controversial Performance at Good Vibes Festival
Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, and during their performance, Healy and MacDonald protested against this legislation by embracing. Healy told the crowd, “When we were booking shows, I wasn’t looking into it. I don’t see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with.”
As a result, the band’s set was cut short, and the remainder of the festival was cancelled. Future Sound Asia, the company behind Good Vibes Festival, has now filed a lawsuit in the UK High Court, demanding almost £2 million in damages.
Legal Action and Allegations
Future Sound Asia claims that The 1975 were informed about Malaysia’s local laws prior to their performance. The lawsuit states that the band was paid $350,000 to appear at the festival and were granted special dispensation due to Healy’s past drug use, on the condition they would follow all local guidelines.
The legal document alleges that The 1975 decided the night before their performance to disrupt the event. They accuse the band of playing a different setlist and delivering a “provocative speech” intended to breach the guidelines. Healy’s kiss with MacDonald was described as a “long pretend passionate embrace” meant to offend and breach regulations.
Healy’s Actions and Festival Consequences
Despite alcohol being prohibited for performers, The 1975 allegedly snuck a bottle of wine onto the stage for Healy. The lawsuit claims Healy acted “in a drunken way,” appeared to vomit on stage, and delivered a “profanity-laden speech.” These actions led to the festival losing its licence, and other performances, including The Strokes, were cancelled.
Healy’s Response to the Backlash
In October, Healy addressed the incident during a show in Fort Worth, Texas. He criticized the “liberal outrage” over the kiss and defended the band’s actions as consistent with their pro-LGBTQ stage show. Healy argued that calling their performance colonialism was a misinterpretation and highlighted that the Malaysian authorities briefly imprisoned the band.
Awaiting The 1975’s Response
The 1975 has yet to comment on the lawsuit. The controversy surrounding their performance at Good Vibes Festival continues to spark debate and legal challenges, underscoring the clash between artistic expression and local cultural laws.
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