Malaysian music festival orders The 1975 to pay a $2.6 million fine over same-sex kiss

The organisers of Good Vibes Festival have demanded The 1975 to pay a multi-million dollar fine following their controversial performance.

Back in July, the British band performed at the popular festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

During their set, Healy caused a stir among attendees and government officials after he slammed the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws. 

“I made a mistake. When we were booking shows, I wasn’t looking into it. I don’t see the f***ing 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,” he said. 

“It’s ridiculous, f***ing ridiculous, to tell people what they can do with that and that. If you want to invite me here to do a show, you can f**k off. I’ll take your money. You can ban me, but I’ve done this before, and it doesn’t feel good.” 

In addition to his speech, the 34-year-old shared a kiss with his bandmate Ross MacDonald onstage. 

In Malaysia, homosexuality is illegal and can result in a 20-year jail sentence if convicted. 

After the aforementioned incident, the band’s set was cut short, and the Ministry of Communication and Digital cancelled the remaining dates of the Good Vibes Festival. The ‘About You’ group were also officially banned from Malaysia. 

However, now it looks like The 1975 is facing more consequences for Healy’s actions.   

According to Rolling Stone, the organisers behind the festival, Future Sound Asia, have ordered the group to pay 12.3 million Malaysian Ringgit ($2.6 million) in damages. 

 

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In a statement to the publication, an attorney from the firm representing the festival organiser gave further insight into the request. 

“The claim against The 1975 is essentially for breach of contract. They entered into a binding contract with Future Sound Asia to perform, and the position of Future Sound Asia, among others, is that this contractual obligation was breached,” said attorney David Matthew.

“Further, Mr Healy’s representative categorically provided a pre-show written assurance that Mr Healy and The 1975’s live performance shall adhere to all local guidelines and regulations during their set in Malaysia. Unfortunately, the assurance was ignored.”

The request also featured a seven-day deadline, giving Healy and his band members until the 14 August to pay the fee before further legal action is taken. 

In addition to Future Sound Asia’s fine, local music artists and festival vendors are looking to take legal action against The 1975 to get compensation for their losses after the festival’s cancellation.

Over the last couple of weeks, Malaysia’s LGBTQ+ community have slammed Healy over his actions. 

Malaysian drag queen Carmen Rose told the BBC: “What Matty Healy did, he thought he was doing something for us, but it’s giving white saviour complex.

“If he wanted to advocate for queer rights here, he wouldn’t just fly off and leave the mess behind.”

One activist on Twitter (also known as X) wrote: “Matty Healy has single-handedly shut down one of the very few safe spaces for people to express themselves freely in Malaysia, simultaneous undoing years of hard work from local creatives and activists.” 

As of this writing, the band has yet to make the $2.6 million payment to Future Sound Asia.

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