The 1975 should not be held personally responsible for Malaysia on-stage kiss, High Court hears

nme.com:

The 1975 should not be held personally responsible for the on-stage kiss that led to a festival being shut down.The incident took place at the 2023 edition of the Good Vibes Festival in Malaysia, when frontman Matty Healy and bassist Ross MacDonald used their set to share a kiss while on stage.

Homosexuality is a crime in the country and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.During the set in Kuala Lumpur, the singer also gave a speech calling out the Malaysian government for its hardline stance on gay rights. “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. “I am sorry if that offends you and you’re religious and it’s part of your fucking government, but your government are a bunch of fucking r*****s and I don’t care anymore.

If you push, I am going to push back.”The remainder of the festival was axed, and after the incident, The 1975 were banned from performing in Malaysia.

They also faced a class action lawsuit from Malaysian artists and vendors over the cancellation.On top of that, the move divided many fans and some in the country suggested that Healy’s actions would make life for the LGBTQ+ community in the country worse.Last summer news arose that the band were being sued for $2.4million (£1.9 million) by the festival organisers, Future Sound Asia (FSA).