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Why is The 1975 facing a lawsuit?

Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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London, UK
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The British rock band has been sued for $2.4 million by Good Vibes Festival in Malaysia over frontman Matty Healy’s protest against the country’s harsh anti-LGBTQ+ laws last July.

The organiser of Malaysia’s Good Vibes Festival has followed through with its threat to sue the 1975 and all its members individually for breaching their contract.

Future Sound Asia is seeking damages of $2.4 million (£1.9m), following frontman Matty Healy’s protest against the country’s harsh anti-LGBTQ+ laws last July, which involved him kissing bassist Ross McDonald during their performance and shutting down the entire event in Kuala Lumpur as a result.

Homosexual acts are illegal in Malaysia and punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

There are no laws that protect LGBTQ+ people against discrimination or hate crimes, and conversion practices are widespread. The south-east Asian country was named the second-worst place in the world for trans rights in a global index last year.

Good Vibes Festival also doesn’t allow talking about politics and religion, removing clothes, and swearing, smoking, or drinking alcohol on stage – all of which is synonymous with The 1975’s brand.

As well as the same-sex kiss, Healy addressed the audience in a profanity laden speech, violating the event’s behaviour code even further and adding to the charges.

‘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 retards and I don’t care anymore’ he said.

‘If you push, I am going to push back. I am not in the fucking mood, I’m not in the fucking mood.’

In court documents filed in UK high court and seen by Variety, Future Sound Asia claims that the British rock band and their management were aware of the numerous rules they had to abide by in order to perform.

The Malaysia Central Agency for the Application for Foreign Filming and Performance by Foreign Artists (PUSPAL) also bans ‘kissing, kissing a member of the audience, or carrying out such actions among themselves’ on stage.

According to the lawsuit, Puspal initially rejected The 1975’s application to perform in 2023, citing a 2018 article about Healy’s past substance abuse and subsequent recovery.

Once the group appealed and promised to adhere to ‘all local guidelines and regulations’ they were approved and paid $350,000.

On the night, however, they decided to play ‘a completely different setlist’ and ‘act in ways that were intended to breach the prohibitions’ including Healy taking part in a ‘long pretend passionate embrace with the intention of causing offence.’

The next day, the organisers’ license was revoked and the remaining two days of Good Vibes Festival – which were set to include performances from both local and international artists such as The Strokes – were cancelled.

Malaysia’s communications ministry said it took an ‘unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, ridicule or contravene Malaysian laws.’


Immediately after leaving, the lawsuit states, The 1975 and their management ‘rushed to their hotels’ to collect their luggage so they could leave the country as soon and as quickly as possible, aware of the fact that they had broken Malaysian law.

At the time, Malaysia’s government called the band ‘extremely rude’ and added that they would not be permitted to perform in the country again.

Future Sound Asia said in a statement that The 1975’s ‘actions have had repercussions on local Malaysian artists and small businesses, who relied on the festival for creative opportunities and their livelihoods.’

The performance was also criticised by members of the Malaysian LGBTQ+ community, who said the ‘performative activism’ would make their lives harder.

Drag queen Carmen Rose said the kiss would give conservative politicians ‘ammo’ to further push ‘a homophobic agenda.’ ‘It’s giving white saviour complex. He wasn’t doing it for our community.’

Healy is currently accused of drinking alcohol, acting ‘in a drunken way,’ ‘smoking cigarettes,’ ‘appearing to vomit on the stage and/or grunt and spit excessively including towards the audience,’ and intentionally damaging a drone camera.

‘Me kissing Ross was not a stunt simply meant to provoke the government,’ Healy later said.

‘It was an ongoing part of the 1975 stage show, which had been performed many times prior. The idea that it’s incumbent upon artists to cater to the local cultural sensitivities of wherever they’ve been invited to perform sets a very dangerous precedent.’

‘To eliminate any routine part of the show in an effort to appease the Malaysian authorities’ bigoted views of LGBTQ+ people would be a passive endorsement of those politics.’

The group has yet to file a defence and the BBC has reported that the band has ‘nothing to add at this time.’

Feature Media Manager & Senior Writer London, UK

Sofia (She/Her) – I’m the Deputy Editor & Media Partnership Manager at Thred, specialising in exclusive articles and live interviews, fashion and beauty with a focus on sustainability, women’s rights, psychedelics, and Latin America. I studied Spanish at the University of Exeter and International Journalism at City, London. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.

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