A Malaysian music festival is threatening legal action against The 1975 after frontman Matty Healy kissed another bandmate on stage.
Good Vibes Festival – which was held in Kuala Lumpur last month – was cancelled following The 1975’s headline set after the Manchester-based band’s frontman, Matty Healy, spoke out against Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws on stage, before proceeding to kiss his bassist Ross MacDonald live onstage in front of the crowd.
During the band‘s performance, Healy first told the crowd he had planned to pull-out of the festival, as he didn’t “see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with”, but then explained he didn’t want to disappoint fans.
The 34-year-old reportedly told the crowd: “Unfortunately, you don’t get a set of loads of uplifting songs because I’m f****** furious and that’s not fair on you, because you’re not representative of your government.”
Malaysian festival threatens legal action after Matty Healy kisses The 1975 bandmate onstage / Credit: The 1975 (via Instagram)
He added that the crowd was full of “young people” and he was sure “a lot of you are gay and progressive and cool”, before proceeding to kiss his bandmate.
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A short while later, Healy was seen walking off stage before coming back on and informing the audience: “Alright, we just got banned from Kuala Lumpur, see you later.”
The festival confirmed in a statement issued on social media following what it called the band’s “controversial conduct” and the remarks made by Healy that it had taken the decision to cancel the rest of the three-day event.
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The festival’s other two headliners did not play after the incident.
— Good Vibes Festival (@GoodVibesFest) July 22, 2023
The festival said in its initial statement that the decision to axe the rest of the event was after the country’s Ministry of Communications and Digital had “underlined its unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, ridicule, or contravene Malaysian law”.
Homosexual acts are illegal in Malaysia, and are punishable under federal law.
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Now, several weeks after the incident occurred, the organisers of the festival, Future Sound Asia (FSA), has claimed Healy’s “use of abusive language, equipment damage, and indecent stage behaviour” has impacted the company financially, and it would be taking legal action in England if the band does not respond to a claim letter that was issued today.
FSA said in a follow-up statement that its letter calls for The 1975 to “acknowledge their liability and compensate FSA for damages incurred”.
The company also claimed the band had “tarnished the reputation” of the festival.
Part of the company’s statement reads: “FSA would like to reiterate their strong disapproval of the band’s behaviour during their performance at GVF2023. In particular, lead singer Matthew Timothy Healy’s use of abusive language, equipment damage, and indecent stage behaviour not only flagrantly breached local guidelines and Malaysian laws but also tarnished the reputation of the 10-year-old festival.”
FSA also claimed the band’s actions had a negative impact on “local artists and businesses that depended on the festival’s success” and affected “the livelihoods of many Malaysians”.
The 1975 is yet to publicly acknowledge the threat of legal action, it is understood.
Featured Image – The 1975
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Rochdale Feel Good Festival announces headliners with MAJOR 90s act
Thomas Melia
The highly-anticipated Rochdale Feel Good Festival is returning to Rochdale Town Hall for a night of impressive live music.
Summer is fast approaching and one way the residents of Greater Manchester town Rochdale know this is the line-up for its major outdoor festival has just been released.
The festival has been running since 2007, taking place right outside the distinctive Rochdale Town Hall , this will be the shows grand return since its massive renovation.
This town centre music celebration is known for drawing in some of music’s biggest names like Cast, Scouting For Girls, Razorlight and most recently Heather Small.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival is coming to the main stage at Rochdale Town Hall this summer / Credit: Press Shots (Supplied)
Rochdale Feel Good Festival has continued this streak of securing some big pop stars and this time is no different as they’ve bagged a major 90s act with some equally notable bands on the line-up too.
Topping the bill is legendary pop-soul artist Gabrielle, known for chart-topping hits like ‘Dreams’ and ‘Rise’ as well as ‘If You Ever’, ‘Out Of Reach’ and ‘Sunshine’.
This phenomenal UK act has seen her 1999 LP Rise and 2001 compilation album Dreams Can Come TrueVol. 1 get certified platinum not once but four times.
Gabrielle is headlining Rochdale Feel Good Festival on Saturday 8 August / Credit: Press Shot (Supplied)
Gabrielle might be more familiar with Rochdale than we think, as she recently collaborated with Middleton born singer-songwriter for his single ‘Sad Song’.
Also announced is indie-rock band Ash, who have seen similar chart success by achieving 18 UK Top 40 hits such as ‘Oh Yeah’, ‘Shining Light’ and ‘Goldfinger’.
Another act joining the main stage is critically-acclaimed rock band Starsailor and with tunes like ‘Alcoholic’ and ‘Silence Is Easy’ it’s about to be a stellar night of performances.
Recognised rock bands Ash and Starsailor are also joining the line-up for Rochdale Feel Good Festival Credit: Press Shots (Supplied)
If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, Rochdale Feel Good Festival will be announcing more acts in the next few weeks making this line-up one of the best yet.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival is coming to the main stage at Rochdale Town Hall on Saturday 8 August with Gabrielle, Ash, Starsailor and more acts to follow – tickets and more info HERE.
Featured Images – Rochdale Borough Council / Press Shots (Supplied)
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Myles Smith announces HUGE arena gig in Manchester this year
Thomas Melia
Singer-songwriter Myles Smith has just announced his biggest headline tour and is set to play a huge arena gig in Manchester this year.
Quit ‘Stargazing’ and get ready to fight for tickets as Myles Smith has just announced he’ll be visiting Manchester later this year for his biggest arena gig to date.
Known for hits like ‘Nice To Meet You’, ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ and ‘Wait For You’, this BRIT School graduate is now heading on the road for some headline shows across the UK.
Recognised for his folk-pop sound, Smith has built quite a name for himself just three or so years into his career, with solo efforts and a few collaborations under his belt.
Myles Smith is heading to Co-op Live, Manchester, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Recently, the Luton-born artist collaborated with some well-known names like Shaboozey on their track ‘Blink Twice’ and even features on a new single from former One Direction member Niall Horan titled ‘Drive Safe’.
It was only last year that the ‘Stargazing’ songwriter visited the music capital of the North, bringing his high-energy hits to Manchester Academy back in February.
The star visited Manchester a second time, too, playing at the Co-op Live alongside some of music’s biggest names for Hits Radio Live back in November.
Now, Smith is ready to take to the Co-op Live stage again and is expected to raise the roof when 23,500 fans flock to the star’s show this winter.
Titled after his upcoming album My Mess, My Life, My Heart, Smith will be playing a variety of well-known and brand new hits when he makes his way up North.
Co-op members and fans who are signed up to the official artist presale can get exclusive access to tickets from Wednesday, 25 March at 10am, with the window closing on Friday, 27 March at 9am.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live by 10 am that same Friday (27 Mar).
Myles Smith is embarking on his ‘My Mess, My Life, My Heart’ tour this winter and visiting Co-op Live, Manchester on Sunday 15 November – tickets and more info HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
8th August 2023 
