- Music Festival Canceled After 1975 Lead Singer’s Pro-LGBT Remarks
- Matt Healy’s Protest Against Malaysia’s Anti-LGBT Laws
- Festival Organizers Apologize and Cancel Remaining Events
Their performance at the Good Vibes Festival was cut short due to “controversial behavior and remarks,” and the remainder of the three-day event has been canceled. Malaysia’s anti-LGBT laws are stringent.
Authorities in Malaysia have canceled a three-day music festival after the lead singer of 1975 kissed a male bandmate on stage and criticized the country’s anti-LGBT laws.
Matt Healy protested while the British band headlined the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
The performance was cut short, and the band was barred from performing in the majority-Muslim nation, where homosexuality is a felony punishable by 20 years in prison.
Saturday, festival organizers announced the cancellation of the entire event due to Healy’s “controversial conduct and remarks.”
According to the statement, the government “reiterated its unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, mock, or violate Malaysian laws.”
Other bands scheduled to perform over the weekend were The Kid Laroi and Ty Dollar $ign, in addition to Sunday’s headlining act The Strokes.
It follows Healy’s profanity-laced attack on the Malaysian government’s posture on LGBT rights during a festival speech.
In social media-posted footage, he stated that the band had considered canceling the performance but decided against it so as not to disappoint their fans.
He said: “I made an error. When we were scheduling shows, I did not investigate it.
I don’t see the f* point… of inviting 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with.
‘We just got suspended’
Healy then kissed Ross MacDonald while the band performed I Like America & America Likes Me.
Healy abruptly ended the performance, informing the audience, “Okay, we’ve got to go.
“We just got banned from Kuala Lumpur, so I’ll see you later.”
Festival organizers stated in a statement that the band’s performance was cut short due to “noncompliance with local performance guidelines.”
Malaysia’s minister of communications, Fahmi Fadzil, deemed the band’s actions “extremely disrespectful” and demanded a comprehensive report from the event’s organizers.
The festival was scheduled to resume on Saturday and Sunday but was abruptly canceled by the government.
‘Immediate revocation directive’
In a statement, the organizers said, “We lament to inform you that the remaining Good Vibes Festival 2023 events scheduled for today and tomorrow have been canceled due to the controversial behavior and remarks of British musician Matt Healy of the band 1975.
“This decision complies with the directive for immediate cancellation issued by the Ministry of Communications and Digital.”
“The ministry has reaffirmed its unwavering opposition to parties that challenge, mock, or violate Malaysian laws.
“We apologize genuinely to all of our ticket holders, vendors, sponsors, and partners.
“We recognize the time, effort, and dedication you have invested in making this festival a success. And we appreciate your unwavering support”.
And we will update you as quickly as possible on refund procedures.
“We appreciate your understanding and continued support during this challenging time.”
Challenging anti-LGBT statutes
Healy has previously challenged anti-LGBT laws through stage performances.
At a 2019 concert in the United Arab Emirates, where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by 10 years in prison. He was criticized for kissing a male admirer.
Healy wrote on Twitter at the time, “Thank you Dubai, you were so incredible. I don’t believe we’ll be permitted to return due to my ‘behavior,’ but know that I adore you and I wouldn’t have done anything differently if I had the opportunity to do so again.”
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s progressive coalition is pitted against a predominantly conservative ethnic-Malay, Muslim alliance, which has accused the government of not doing enough to protect the rights of Muslims in the multiracial nation.
The prime minister has repeatedly stated that his government will uphold Islamic principles and refuse to recognize LGBT rights.
In May, Malaysian authorities confiscated watches from the “Pride collection” of the Swiss company Swatch, which commemorates LGBT rights.
