The 1975 being sued for damages by Malaysia festival organisers after attacking anti-LGBT laws
THE 1975 are being sued for damages by organisers of a festival in Kuala Lumpur after attacking Malaysia’s anti-LGBT laws.
Frontman Matty Healy kissed a fellow band member during their headline performance at Good Vibes Festival last July, as well as delivering a sweary speech to the audience.
The company behind the festival, Future Sound Asia, is seeking £1.9m in compensation in the UK’s High Court over a violation of performance rules.
Same-sex acts are illegal in Malaysia and can carry a sentence of 20 years in prison.
The festival forbids talking about politics and religion, along with swearing, smoking or drinking on stage.
Organisers said in a court filing that the band and their management team were aware of its rules for performers.
They allege Matty’s “provocative speech” and “long pretend passionate embrace” with bassist Ross MacDonald had “the intention of causing offence and breaching the regulations”.
Future Sound Asia said the band were given multiple reminders of the rules ahead of its performance last July, which they previously performed at in 2016.
The docs accused the band of choosing to “act in a way that was intended to breach guidelines”, additionally claiming that the group smuggled a bottle of wine on stage to allow Matty, who briefly dated Taylor Swift last year, “easy access” to it.
The event in Kuala Lumpur was cancelled the day after the band’s performance, with Malaysia’s communications ministry stating it took an “unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, ridicule or contravene Malaysian laws”.