Malaysia festival seeks US$2.7 million from UK band The 1975 whose same-sex kiss got music show cancelled
- Organisers of Good Vibes Festival are demanding compensation for breach of contract from The 1975 after the event was cut short due to the singer’s actions
- During the July show, Matty Healy used profanities in his criticism of the Malaysian government’s stance against homosexuality, then kissed the male bassist
The organiser of a Malaysian music festival is seeking 12.3 million ringgit (US$2.7 million) in losses from British band The 1975, after its lead singer’s onstage protest of the country’s anti-gay laws prompted authorities to shut down the festival, the company’s lawyer said on Friday.
Future Sound Asia sent a letter to the band on Monday demanding compensation over a breach of contract, said FSA lawyer David Dinesh Mathew.
During the July 21 performance, Matty Healy used profanities in his speech criticising the Malaysian government’s stance against homosexuality, before kissing bassist Ross MacDonald during the opening show at the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur. Footage of the performance was posted on social media and sparked backlash in the predominantly Muslim country.
In Malaysia, homosexuality is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and also caning.
The government slammed Healy’s conduct, blacklisted the band from the country and cut short the three-day festival. Some in the LGBTQ community also took to social media to criticise the band, saying Healy had disrupted the work of activists pushing for change and also endangered the community.
