Highlights
Matty Healy and his band The 1975 are caught in a $2.4 million lawsuit by the organizer of Malaysia’s Good Vibes Festival, Future Sound Asia. The legal action is due to the band’s performance in July 2023, in which Healy condemned Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws and kissed bandmate Ross McDonald. This act was against the set local laws and ordinances and as such, the festival was called off immediately. It has provoked discussions on freedom of speech, multiculturalism and roles of foreign artists in countries with different legislation and traditions.
The Lawsuit: Particulars and Accusations
Good Vibes Festival’s organizer Future Sound Asia has sued Maxis for $2. 4 million lawsuits against Matty Healy and each member of The 1975. The legal action taken in a UK court alleges the band’s breach of the code of conduct signed and holding a protest against the Malaysian laws against the LGBTQ+ community during the band’s performance in July 2023.
From the case, it emerges that the band members were in a position to understand the conduct expected of them when on stage. These guidelines included prohibitions on:
- Drinking or smoking when performing
- Removing clothing
- Discussing religion or politics
- Kissing any of the band members or any other member of the audience is another activity that is prohibited.
The Malaysia Central Agency for the Application for Foreign Filming and Performance by Foreign Artists strictly implements these rules for all foreign performers in the country.
I highly doubt they will have to pay. They didn’t last year, they’re definitely not that stupid to embark into a legal battle for such a huge amount of money if they knew they are in the wrong. Plus, Malaysians filed it in the UK where luckily being gay isn’t illegal pic.twitter.com/iU73b7sJVp
— Matty Healy is a rat (@trumanblackfr) July 30, 2024
Background: First, There Is Reluctance, Then Consensus
Notably, Puspal had at first rejected the band of The 1975’s application to perform at the festival. This decision was made based on an article produced in 2018, which detailed Healy’s substance use problem. But after some time, the band was allowed to dance but on the condition that they would have to follow all the mentioned rules.
The Controversial Performance
However, The 1975’s performance at the Good Vibes Festival was not long before it turned into controversy despite the band’s agreement to adhere to the rules. The lawsuit states that the band knowingly and willfully failed to perform songs that they were supposed to perform, and committed multiple acts prohibited by the guidelines. These actions included:
- Healy speaking to a crowd and denouncing the Malaysian laws against the LGBTQ+ community
- Healy and bassist Ross MacDonald in an over-the-top, vulgar hug on stage
- Healy drinking alcohol during the performance
- The second aspect of the respondents’ language behavior is the use of foul language.
- Intentional destruction of a drone camera
The Kiss That Sparked Outrage
The worst violation of the guidelines was observed when Healy kissed another band member, Ross McDonald on stage. This act was a direct violation of Puspal’s no-kissing policy that he had set for all the performances. The kiss together with Healy’s negative remarks about the Malaysian laws had its immediate repercussions.
Consequences and Aftermath
The Malaysian government did not take The 1975’s action lightly and immediately canceled the festival, thus effectively putting an end to the event. Realizing the severity of the situation, the band quickly repacked their things and fled the country as fast as they could because they knew they were in violation of Malaysian law.
Healy’s Defense and Perspective
Matty Healy, the lead vocalist of the band, came out in support of the band after the incident. He said, “Me kissing Ross was not a stunt simply meant to provoke the government, it was part of the 1975 stage show which was done many times before,” Healy also dismissed the notion that artists should respect local culture by saying that it is a “very dangerous precedent.”
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Legal and Cultural Implications
This case brings up some issues regarding freedom of art and consideration of culture. This aspect reveals the difficulties that international artists encounter when performing in other countries with different legal systems and cultures especially on issues to do with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community.
The lawsuit’s outcome could have significant implications for:
- Foreign performers’ obligations in culturally restricted locations
- The compliance with performance standards in the international environment
- The financial consequences of the on-stage conduct that is considered provocative
Broader Context: Southeast Asia That Does Not Protect The Rights Of The LGBTQ+ Community
To appreciate the nature of the controversy, it is necessary to know Malaysia’s position regarding the LGBTQ+ community. The country continues to have a harsh stand on homosexuality and same sex relations are prohibited. This legal framework has been an issue of conflict between human rights organizations and the Malaysian government for some time now.
The Role of Music in Social Commentary
This incident also brings back the controversy on the appropriateness of music and artists in expressing social issues. Such an experience of The 1975 shows that although many artists try to promote social justice on their behalf, the question arises as to how this can be done correctly and safely, especially in countries with different legislation and cultural attitudes.
