The British rock band The 1975 is facing a lawsuit from the promoter of the Good Vibes Festival in Malaysia, after the lead singer Matty Healy allegedly violated the terms of their contract by making controversial remarks and actions on stage.
According to Future Sound Asia (FSA), the company behind the festival, Healy kissed his bandmate Ross MacDonald, drank alcohol, and criticized Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws during their headline set on July 21, 2023. FSA claims that these actions “tarnished” the festival’s reputation and caused them to cancel the remaining two days of the event, following an “immediate cancellation directive” issued by Malaysia’s ministry of communications and digital.
FSA is reportedly preparing to take legal action against The 1975 unless the group pays over £2 million (currently $2.54 million or RM 11.774.932) in damages within seven days. The promoter says that The 1975 had “intentionally contravened” the agreement they had with FSA, which included a written assurance that they would “adhere to all local guidelines and regulations” during their performance in Malaysia.
The 1975 has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, but Healy has mocked the incident on social media and during other concerts. The band has also cancelled their forthcoming gigs in Indonesia and Taiwan, and has been banned from performing in Malaysia by the authorities.
The lawsuit has sparked mixed reactions from fans and critics, with some supporting The 1975’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights and others accusing them of disrespecting Malaysian culture and laws. The incident has also raised questions about the role of artists and promoters in navigating sensitive issues in different countries.
chordbandcom