Close Menu
Jake NewsJake News
  • UK News
  • International
  • Spotlight
  • Culture
  • Reviews
  • Business
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  •  Events
Trending

Manscaping: from the Castro Clone to smooth balls

July 10, 2025

Dragon Age: The Veilguard dominates Gayming Awards

July 10, 2025

The classic gay/straight rom/com My Best Friend's Wedding is 25!

July 10, 2025

'Bottoming is so hard. This isn't fair!'

July 9, 2025

'We can’t be expected to represent every gay person': Jesse Tyler Ferguson on reaction to Modern Family role

July 9, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Friday, July 11
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Contact
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram TikTok
Jake NewsJake News
Join
  • UK News
  • International
  • Spotlight
  • Culture
  • Reviews

    Drink me, daddy! Tech water bottles get smart

    May 29, 2025

    BoTree, London

    March 26, 2025

    Gansevoort, New York City

    March 19, 2025

    Ulysses, Baltimore

    March 19, 2025

    Almanac X Alcron, Prague

    July 9, 2024
  • Business
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  •  Events
Jake NewsJake News
  • Events
  • UK News
  • International
  • Spotlight
  • Culture
  • Jake Reviews
  • Business
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
Home»International»The 1975 faces lawsuit after ‘gay’ kiss in Malaysia
International

The 1975 faces lawsuit after ‘gay’ kiss in Malaysia

News RoomBy News RoomJuly 31, 20244 ViewsNo Comments3 Mins Read
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email

British pop-rock band The 1975 is being sued for $2.4 million by Malaysia’s Good Vibes Festival organisers after lead singer Matty Healy’s provocative actions led to the event’s cancellation.

British pop-rock band The 1975 is facing a lawsuit from the organisers of Malaysia’s Good Vibes Festival following actions by lead singer Matty Healy during their performance last July. The organisers, Future Sound Asia (FSA), are seeking $2.4 million (£1.9 million), contending that the band’s violation of the festival’s conduct code resulted in the festival’s abrupt cancellation.

Demo

The court documents filed in the UK High Court and initially reported by Variety outline the sequence of events leading up to the lawsuit. The FSA alleges that The 1975 and their management team were fully informed about Malaysia’s stringent performance restrictions, including rules against swearing, smoking, drinking alcohol on stage, removing clothes, and discussing politics or religion. Notably, the Malaysia Central Agency for the Application for Foreign Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (PUSPAL) also prohibits “kissing, kissing a member of the audience or carrying out such actions among themselves” during performances.

According to the suit, The 1975 had previously performed at the festival in 2016 under similar restrictions. Initially, their 2023 application to perform was rejected due to concerns about Healy’s past drug addiction. However, after an appeal and a commitment from the band to adhere to all local guidelines, PUSPAL granted approval for their performance.

Nevertheless, on the night before the scheduled performance, the band reportedly reconsidered and then decided to go ahead with a different setlist and a plan to intentionally breach the guidelines. The performance included Healy making a “provocative speech” against Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws and sharing a “long pretend passionate embrace” with bassist Ross MacDonald. These actions, along with Healy allegedly consuming alcohol, smoking, and behaving incoherently on stage, led to the abrupt interruption of their set by festival officials.

The FSA claims that after the on-stage kiss, PUSPAL ordered The 1975 to halt their performance, during which Healy responded aggressively, necessitating intervention from his managers. Following this incident, the Malaysian government revoked the festival’s license, leading to the cancellation of the event’s final two days which included performances by local and international artists such as The Strokes.

In the aftermath, the FSA accused The 1975 of contract breach, demanding $2 million in damages as the cancellation had severe repercussions on local artists and small businesses reliant on the festival. They further stressed that the band’s actions violated the pre-agreed terms of their $350,000 contract to perform, resulting in significant financial and reputational damages.

Healy later defended his actions, claiming that the kiss was a standard part of their stage show and challenging the idea that artists should conform to local cultural sensibilities. He stated, “Me kissing Ross was not a stunt simply meant to provoke the government… 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.”

The controversy surrounding The 1975’s conduct has led to further repercussions, with Malaysian Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil labeling the act as “extremely rude” and ensuring that the band would not be allowed to perform in Malaysia again.

Following the event’s cancellation, The 1975 also called off subsequent tour dates in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Taipei, Taiwan. As legal proceedings continue, representatives for The 1975 have not yet offered additional comments on the lawsuit.

TOP EVENTS

Events

LONDON PRIDE PARTY

Events

PRIDE MONTH PARTY at THE IVY CLUB

Events

THE SUMMER SUNDAY ROOFTOP PARTY at THE LONDONER

Events

SINGLES MINGLE at MUSE at the ROYAL SOCIETY FOR ARTS (Copy)

Events

SPRING SINGLES MINGLE at MUSE at the ROYAL SOCIETY FOR ARTS

Events

| JAKE BOUTIQUE | BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! , FITZROVIA

View All Events

TOP EVENTS

Events

LONDON PRIDE PARTY

Events

PRIDE MONTH PARTY at THE IVY CLUB

Events

THE SUMMER SUNDAY ROOFTOP PARTY at THE LONDONER

Events

SINGLES MINGLE at MUSE at the ROYAL SOCIETY FOR ARTS (Copy)

Events

SPRING SINGLES MINGLE at MUSE at the ROYAL SOCIETY FOR ARTS

Events

| JAKE BOUTIQUE | BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! , FITZROVIA

View All Events
Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Email Copy Link
News Room
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Jake Newsroom is a premier news and events site for gay professionals, delivering accurate and insightful coverage on business and culture with a strong emphasis on the UK and USA. Founded 25 years ago, it was the first and remains the largest platform of its kind, renowned for its commitment to truth and excellence.

Related News

Manchester the most sexually liberated city in the UK! But no London in the global top ten?

July 8, 2025

Has the gay rights movement gone too far? Andrew Sullivan thinks it has

July 2, 2025

One-Minute Update – All the gay news you need, immediately!

June 30, 2025

This is what a banned Pride parade looks like!

June 30, 2025

One-Minute Update – All the gay news you need, immediately!

June 26, 2025

One-Minute Update – All the gay news you need, immediately!

June 20, 2025
Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Top News

Dragon Age: The Veilguard dominates Gayming Awards

July 10, 2025

The classic gay/straight rom/com My Best Friend's Wedding is 25!

July 10, 2025

'Bottoming is so hard. This isn't fair!'

July 9, 2025

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.

Advertisement
Demo
Jake News
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram TikTok
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Submit News
  • Advertise
  • Contact
© 2025 Jake News. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.