British band The 1975 is facing a $2.4 million lawsuit from Good Vibes Festival in Malaysia over their frontman Matty Healy’s protest against the country’s anti-LGBTQ laws. The festival organisers claim that Healy’s actions, including a same-sex kiss onstage, led to the festival being shut down last summer. During their performance in Kuala Lumpur, Healy criticized the anti-LGBTQ+ laws, kissed a band member, and made controversial comments about the government. The band was subsequently banned from performing in the country.
The lawsuit filed in UK High Court alleges that The 1975 intentionally violated the festival’s restrictions, including no swearing, smoking, drinking on stage, taking off clothes, and discussing politics or religion. The organisers claim the band decided not to perform the night before the festival, then changed their mind and went against the guidelines. They also allege that the band was aware of specific rules issued by the Malaysian authorities prohibiting activities such as kissing on stage.
The Malaysian LGBTQ+ community has criticized Healy’s actions, accusing him of displaying a “white saviour complex.” The band has not commented on the lawsuit or filed a defense yet. Good Vibes Festival had previously demanded the band pay RM12.3 million for causing the cancellation of the festival. The lawsuit shines a spotlight on the clash between artistic freedom and cultural sensitivities in different parts of the world.
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