1975 CUTS FESTIVAL SET SHORT IN SUPPORT OF LGBTQ+ RIGHTS
British rockers The 1975 had its headliner festival set cut short at Malaysia's Good Vibes Festival after frontman Matty Healy denounced the country's LGBTQ+ laws.
Healy made fiery remarks questioning the government’s stance on gay rights before kissing the band’s bassist, Ross MacDonald, on-stage, symbolizing their unwavering support for equality.
After just seven songs, Healy told the crowd that they had to go, saying the band had “just got banned from Kuala Lumpur.” Good Vibes Festival has since released a statement expressing the interruption was due to "non-compliance with local performance guidelines."
“I made a mistake. 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,” shared Healy.
This isn't the first time Healy has challenged anti-LGBTQ+ laws. In 2019 he kissed a male fan during a show in Dubai, a country with strict LGBTQ+ restrictions.
The 1975 will continue its Asia dates with a performance in Jakarta on 7/23 before heading back to North America for its fall U.S. tour, which includes stops at Lollapalooza and Outside Lands. They’re also set to headline Reading & Leeds festival in the U.K. next month where they plan to perform their self-titled debut album in full to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Matty Healy speech at Good Vibes Festival in Malaysia#The1975
— p 🐋 (@onmymind75) July 21, 2023
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