United Kingdom pop band The 1975 found their set at the Good Vibes music festival in Kuala Lumpur cut short after frontman Matty Healy kissed a male bandmate onstage and publicly criticised Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQ laws. The incident has sparked controversy in the Muslim-majority country, where homosexuality is considered a crime, and human rights groups have voiced concerns over growing intolerance towards the LGBTQ community.
In videos circulating on social media, Matty Healy was seen kissing bassist Ross MacDonald onstage after delivering a profanity-laden speech denouncing Malaysia’s government stance on homosexuality. Despite the risks, the band decided not to cancel their performance to avoid disappointing their fans in Malaysia.
Admitting his oversight, Healy expressed regret for not thoroughly researching the country’s laws and voiced his frustration, stating, “I didn’t see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with.”
The controversial act prompted the band to shorten their set abruptly, with Healy informing the audience that they were banned from Kuala Lumpur. The move has triggered a debate over freedom of expression and LGBTQ rights in Malaysia.
This is not the first time The 1975 has been embroiled in such a controversy. In 2019, Healy faced criticism for kissing a male fan during a concert in the United Arab Emirates, a country that also criminalises homosexual acts.
In response to the incident, the Good Vibes festival organisers released a statement stating that The 1975’s set was stopped due to “non-compliance with local performance guidelines.” The organisers were subsequently summoned by Malaysia’s Communications and Digital Ministry to provide an explanation for the events.
While no official police report has been lodged, local authorities have indicated that they will call the organisers to discuss the matter further. The New Straits Times, a local newspaper, reported that the festival organisers decided to halt the band’s performance mid-way, taking matters into their own hands.
In the wake of the incident, Malaysia’s Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil publicly criticised The 1975’s performance, labelling it “very disrespectful” in a Twitter post. He vowed to engage with local authorities and summon the festival organisers for an explanation.
