A three-day music festival in Malaysia has been cut short after the lead singer of the 1975 criticised the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws on stage.
The British band, fronted by Matty Healy, were performing at the Good Vibes festival in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
While on stage, Healy criticised the Malaysian government’s position on LGBTQ+ rights and said the band had made a mistake in deciding to perform in the country.
“I made a mistake. When we were booking shows, I wasn’t looking into it. I don’t see the fucking point, right. I do not see the point of inviting the 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with,” Healy said in a video recorded by a fan in the crowd.
Healy then went on to kiss his bandmate, Ross MacDonald, on stage. The band’s performance came to an end after officials ordered them off stage. As they walked off, Healy said: “All right, we just got banned from Kuala Lumpur, see you later.”
"we just got banned from Kuala Lumpur. goodbye" - The 1975 live in Malaysia pic.twitter.com/TjRwQ5wltN — tisya (@syiraaaah) July 21, 2023
Following Healy’s comments on stage, the festival’s organisers decided to cancel the rest of the weekend. In a statement, the organisers said the cancellation order had come directly from Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital as part of its “unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, ridicule or contravene Malaysian laws”.
Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia and punishable by 20 years in prison.
A source close to the band told the BBC: “Matty has a long-time record of advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and the band wanted to stand up for their LGBTQ+ fans and community.”
Future Sound Asia, which organised the festival, said in a statement: “Prior to the festival, the 1975 management team reassured us that Healy and the band would adhere to local performance guidelines.
“Regrettably, Healy did not honour these assurances, despite our trust in their commitment. Healy’s actions took us by complete surprise, and we halted the show as promptly as feasible following the incident.
“Healy’s unprofessional behaviour and overt defiance of Malaysian laws and regulations are disturbing.”
Fahmi Fadzil, Malaysia’s communications minister, described the band’s performance as “very disrespectful”.
Other artists who were due to perform at Good Vibes included the Strokes, Dermot Kennedy and Ty Dolla $ign.
Healy has previously spoken out against anti-LGBTQ+ laws while on stage. In 2019, while performing in Dubai he invited a male fan on stage and hugged and kissed him. In the UAE, homosexuality is punishable by 10 years’ imprisonment.
Tweeting after that show, Healy said: “Thank you Dubai you were so amazing. I don’t think we’ll be allowed back due to my ‘behaviour’ but know that I love you and I wouldn’t have done anything differently given the chance again.”