Future Sound Asia (FSA) — the organizers behind Malaysia's Good Vibes Festival — have sent a letter of claim to the 1975 demanding the British band pay $2.7 million USD in financial damages after the festival was cancelled following their performance on July 21, Billboard reports.
This time around, frontman Matty Healy's infamous on-stage antics included sharing a 20-second kiss with bandmate Ross MacDonald and insulting the Malaysian government for its "fucking ridiculous" anti-homosexuality laws, which outlaw all same-sex sexual contact and could lead to prison sentences of up to 20 years. The band's headlining set was then cut short, and the festival's remaining two days were cancelled the following afternoon.
Now, the promoters have tasked the 1975 to "acknowledge their liability and provide compensation to FSA for the damages incurred," threatening that failure to do so will result in legal action in the Courts of England.
"FSA would like to reiterate their strong disapproval of the Band's behaviour during their performance at GVF2023," the company said in a statement. "In particular, lead singer Matthew Timothy Healy's use of abusive language, equipment damage and indecent stage behaviour not only flagrantly breached local guidelines and Malaysian laws but also tarnished the reputation of the 10-year-old festival."
Good Vibes Festival has described the cancellation of what should have been a three-day event as having left them in "financial ruin." This incident could also limit concerts in Malaysia for years to come, as the country has very strict regulations in place for foreign artists performing there — and Healy's manager had reportedly acknowledged in writing that the singer would adhere to the guidelines (which all artists are said to be briefed on) prior to the performance.
"When we were booking shows, I wasn't looking into it. I don't see the fucking point, right? I do not see the point of inviting the 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with," Healy said on stage. "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."
FSA's statement continues, "The Band's actions intentionally contravened the agreement they had with FSA for their performance at GVF2023. This breach led to the festival's cancellation, resulting in significant financial losses for FSA and negatively impacting local artists and businesses that depended on the festival's success — affecting the livelihoods of many Malaysians."
The 1975 have been given seven days to admit their liability.
At Lollapalooza this weekend, Healy reportedly quipped, "You want my travel tip? Don't go to…" and trailed off before launching into the band's A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships track "It's Not Living (If It's Not with You)."
This time around, frontman Matty Healy's infamous on-stage antics included sharing a 20-second kiss with bandmate Ross MacDonald and insulting the Malaysian government for its "fucking ridiculous" anti-homosexuality laws, which outlaw all same-sex sexual contact and could lead to prison sentences of up to 20 years. The band's headlining set was then cut short, and the festival's remaining two days were cancelled the following afternoon.
Now, the promoters have tasked the 1975 to "acknowledge their liability and provide compensation to FSA for the damages incurred," threatening that failure to do so will result in legal action in the Courts of England.
"FSA would like to reiterate their strong disapproval of the Band's behaviour during their performance at GVF2023," the company said in a statement. "In particular, lead singer Matthew Timothy Healy's use of abusive language, equipment damage and indecent stage behaviour not only flagrantly breached local guidelines and Malaysian laws but also tarnished the reputation of the 10-year-old festival."
Good Vibes Festival has described the cancellation of what should have been a three-day event as having left them in "financial ruin." This incident could also limit concerts in Malaysia for years to come, as the country has very strict regulations in place for foreign artists performing there — and Healy's manager had reportedly acknowledged in writing that the singer would adhere to the guidelines (which all artists are said to be briefed on) prior to the performance.
"When we were booking shows, I wasn't looking into it. I don't see the fucking point, right? I do not see the point of inviting the 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with," Healy said on stage. "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."
FSA's statement continues, "The Band's actions intentionally contravened the agreement they had with FSA for their performance at GVF2023. This breach led to the festival's cancellation, resulting in significant financial losses for FSA and negatively impacting local artists and businesses that depended on the festival's success — affecting the livelihoods of many Malaysians."
The 1975 have been given seven days to admit their liability.
At Lollapalooza this weekend, Healy reportedly quipped, "You want my travel tip? Don't go to…" and trailed off before launching into the band's A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships track "It's Not Living (If It's Not with You)."
