Matty Healy kisses bassist on stage in protest over anti-LGBT laws
Rock group The 1975 had their concert cancelled at Malaysian festival Good Vibes last month, after discussing homosexuality – which is illegal in Malaysia – onstage, before Matty Healy kissed bassist Ross MacDonald in front of the crowd.
“I do not see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with,” Matty told the Muslim-majority audience, adding: “I’m sorry if that offends you, and you’re religious.”
He then made a complaint about the government, continuing: “If you want to invite me here to do a show, you can f*** off. I’ll take your money, you can ban me, but I’ve done this before, and it doesn’t feel good.”
The comments and kiss allegedly contravened the contract the group had signed with the organisers of the festival in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, Future Sound Asia (FSA) – and they have announced they are seeking damages of over £2 million.
The FSA stated that the band had completed “a pre-show written assurance” guaranteeing that the performance would not break any “local guidelines and regulations”.
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The company has alleged that the group’s “abusive language, equipment damage and indecent stage behaviour” led to the event being cancelled.
Three days of music had been planned, including a set from The Strokes, but following the incident, they did not appear.
The FSA stated that a letter of claim has been sent to the group asking them to “acknowledge their liability and compensate FSA for damages incurred”.
Although that letter has not stated the amount being sought, lawyers acting on behalf of the FSA alleged that they will be seeking £2,099,154.54.
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Lawyer David Mathew made the following statement: “The claim against The 1975 is essentially for breach of contract. They entered into a binding contract with Future Sound Asia to perform and the position of Future Sound Asia, among others, is that this contractual obligation was breached.
“Further, Mr Healy’s representative categorically provided a pre-show written assurance that Mr Healy and The 1975’s live performance ‘shall adhere to all local guidelines and regulations’ during their set in Malaysia. Unfortunately, the assurance was ignored.”
The statement continued: “Future Sound Asia is taking action in response to The 1975’s breach of contract.
“Their actions have had repercussions on local artists and small businesses, who relied on the festival for creative opportunities and their livelihoods.
“In this connection, Future Sound Asia wishes to move forward in a way that will give the Malaysian community affected some closure.”
The FSA has also stated that if the warning is not addressed, then the company will begin legal proceedings in the British courts.
Meanwhile, according to the Malaysian Ministry of Communications and Digital, The 1975 has been blacklisted, putting the prospect of future concerts in the country in doubt.
Following the incident, two further planned appearances by the band were cancelled – one at We The Fest in Jakarta, Indonesia, and another at the Taipei Music Centre in Taiwan.
MattY and Ross also kissed previously at a 2019 concert in Dubai, as shown in the video above.
Express.co.uk has approached Matty Healy’s representatives for comment.
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