A London judge ruled Monday that members of British band The 1975 cannot be held personally liable for losses tied to Malaysia’s 2023 Good Vibes Festival cancellation. The event was shut down after frontman Matty Healy kissed male bassist Ross MacDonald onstage while criticizing the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
Festival organizer Future Sound Asia (FSA) sought £1.9 million ($2.4 million) in damages, claiming breach of contract and negligence. However, High Court Judge William Hansen dismissed claims against individual band members, calling them
bad as a matter of lawand ordering FSA to pay £100,000 in legal costs. The case against The 1975’s production company will proceed.
The controversy stems from Healy’s July 2023 performance in Kuala Lumpur, where homosexuality carries penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment and caning. Footage of the kiss sparked national outrage, with some LGBTQ+ activists criticizing the band for endangering local communities through performative activism.
Key developments include:
- FSA’s claim that The 1975 violated a 2016 agreement prohibiting political statements
- Allegations the band smuggled alcohol onstage and delivered a second-rate set to provoke authorities
- Malaysia’s subsequent blacklisting of the band
This incident mirrors Healy’s 2019 protest in the UAE, where same-sex relations are illegal. Legal experts argue the ruling sets precedent for separating corporate and personal liability in international entertainment contracts.
With Southeast Asian concerts canceled and mounting legal fees, The 1975’s Malaysia controversy continues testing boundaries between artistic expression and cultural compliance. The case’s outcome could reshape how global artists navigate performances in regions with strict social laws.
