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
Audio
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Emily Sergeant -
8th August 2023 
