Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian authorities have cancelled the Good Vibes music festival in Kuala Lumpur after British indie rock band 'The 1975' staged an on-stage protest against the country's anti-LGBTQ laws.
The frontman, Matty Healy, slammed the discriminatory laws in a profanity-filled speech and kissed his male bandmate, bassist Ross MacDonald, during their performance.
Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, and laws criminalising sodomy are punishable by imprisonment. LGBTQ individuals in the country often face discrimination by authorities.
The 1975, known for their advocacy of LGBTQ rights, expressed their dissent against Malaysia's anti-gay laws. Matty Healy, addressing the audience, stated that the band had contemplated pulling out of the event, stating, "I do not see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with." In a bold act of defiance, Healy ended the performance abruptly, announcing, "All right, we gotta go. We just got banned from Kuala Lumpur."
This is not the first time Matty Healy has used his platform to protest anti-LGBTQ laws. In 2019, during a concert in the United Arab Emirates, which also has strict anti-LGBTQ laws, he kissed a male fan on stage.
Reacting swiftly to the incident, Malaysian Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil condemned the act, calling it a "very rude act." He immediately ordered the cancellation of the three-day Good Vibes festival after meeting with the organisers. Fahmi emphasised the importance of respecting local culture and sensitivities and stated, "Never touch the sensitivities of the community, especially those that are against the manners and values of the local culture."
The festival organisers confirmed the cancellation, stating it was in response to the controversial conduct and remarks made by Matty Healy. The statement reiterated the ministry's unwavering stance against any actions that challenge or ridicule Malaysian laws.
The Good Vibes festival, originally scheduled to run through the weekend, featured prominent bands, with US band 'The Strokes' set to headline on Sunday. However, due to the festival's cancellation, the performances were cancelled.
This incident comes two months after Malaysian authorities seized over a hundred rainbow-coloured, Pride-themed watches from Swiss watchmaker Swatch. In response, the company has filed a lawsuit against the government, seeking damages and the return of the watches.