The organizer of Malaysia’s Good Vibes Festival, Future Sound Asia, has filed a lawsuit in the U.K. High Court against the British band The 1975 and its individual members. The lawsuit seeks £1.9 million (approximately $2.4 million) in damages, alleging that the band’s actions during their performance last July led to the festival’s abrupt shutdown.
The legal action follows a contentious performance by The 1975, during which frontman Matty Healy publicly protested Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQ laws. Festival organizers contend that Healy’s actions, which included a provocative speech and a staged kiss, violated numerous pre-established performance guidelines.
Background and Claims
According to the court documents filed by Future Sound Asia, The 1975 were well aware of the prohibitions imposed on their performance. The festival had previously hosted the band in 2016, during which time they were briefed on the restrictions. These guidelines included prohibitions against swearing, smoking, drinking alcohol on stage, removing clothing, and discussing political or religious topics. The Malaysia Central Agency for the Application for Foreign Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (PUSPAL) issued additional restrictions, including a ban on kissing or engaging in similar actions on stage.
Despite these guidelines, The 1975 were initially barred from performing last summer due to an article from 2018 about Healy’s drug addiction and recovery. However, after the band appealed and assured adherence to local regulations, PUSPAL granted permission for their performance.
The lawsuit alleges that the night before their scheduled appearance, The 1975 considered canceling their performance but ultimately decided to proceed. However, they reportedly planned to use the opportunity to protest by breaching the guidelines intentionally. The band performed a modified setlist and Healy delivered a “provocative speech,” culminating in a staged kiss with bassist Ross MacDonald, actions the lawsuit claims were designed to offend and breach festival regulations.
Details of the Lawsuit
Future Sound Asia’s lawsuit accuses Healy of several violations during the performance. These include drinking alcohol, behaving in a drunken manner, smoking cigarettes, and engaging in excessive spitting and grunting, including towards the audience. The suit also claims that Healy delivered a profanity-laden speech and intentionally damaged a video drone hired by the festival organizers.
Following Healy’s on-stage kiss, PUSPAL officers intervened and ordered the band to stop their performance. According to the lawsuit, Healy reacted aggressively, swearing at officials and requiring restraint by his management team. The situation escalated to the point where the organizers’ license was revoked, leading to the cancellation of the festival’s remaining two days, which were scheduled to feature performances by other international and local artists, including The Strokes.
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The lawsuit further alleges that The 1975 and their management hastily left Malaysia the following morning to avoid legal repercussions, aware that their performance had breached local laws.
Band’s Response and Legal Proceedings
In the wake of the controversy, Future Sound Asia issued a letter to The 1975 demanding $2 million in damages for the alleged breach of contract. The band has yet to respond formally to the lawsuit. A representative for The 1975 declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
Healy has since claimed that he was “briefly imprisoned” by Malaysian authorities following the protest, although details of this claim remain unclear.
The lawsuit represents a significant legal challenge for The 1975, reflecting the broader tensions between international artists and local regulations regarding freedom of expression and cultural norms. As the case proceeds, it will likely bring further scrutiny to the intersection of global entertainment and national laws.
