A same-sex kiss could cost this band US$2.4 million

As a Western band, playing a gig in Malaysia can be tough. Oh, you can get the tour, but there are many, many conditions thanks to the country’s religious and social sensibilities. For example, when Linkin Park played the country, they were warned about jumping around too much. The audience was required to sit for the entire show.

When The 1975 agreed to perform at the Good Vibes Festival last July, warnings were laid out. No swearing, smoking, drinking on stage, taking off clothes, talking about politics, and comments about religion. And there could not be any kissing.”

Guess what happens?

Five songs into their set, singer Matt Healey addressed the crowd: “I made a mistake. When we were booking shows, I wasn’t looking into it. I don’t see the f*cking point. I do not see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with. I’ll take your money, you can ban me, but I’ve done this before, and it doesn’t feel good, and I’m f*cked off.” (There was an incident when he kissed a male fan during a show in Dubai back in 2019)

Healey then planted a big one on bandmate Ross MacDonald, breaking Maylasia’s ultra-strict laws against anything LGBTQ+. The band then played “I Couldn’t Be More in Love” and then stalked off stage. The festival said that The 1975’s set was cut short as a result of “non-compliance with local performance guidelines.”

The kiss was also enough for authorities to shut down the rest of the festival. The band also claims that they were “briefly imprisoned.”

Now festival organizers are suing the band, alleging that they knowingly sabotaged everything. The 1975 was warned in advance. They were also made aware of a document called the Malaysia Central Agency for the Application for Foreign Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (PUSPAL). It specifically includes a prohibition on “kissing, kissing a member of the audience or carrying out such actions among themselves.” What’s more, the band took their fee of US$350,000 and agreed to abide by local rules.

Because the rest of the festival was canceled as a result of The 1975 breaking the rules, organizers want some compensation and are suing for US$2.4 million. The band hasn’t responded yet.

Meanwhile, the government of Maylasia has tightened up entry requirements for foreign acts.