Malaysia Music Festival Cut Short after British Singer Matty Healy Slams Anti-LGBTQ Laws

Malaysia’s government cut short a musical festival after lead singer Matty Healy, of the British band The 1975, slammed the country’s anti-gay laws and kissed a male bandmate on stage.

During the band’s headlining set at the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, Healy gave a speech calling out the Malaysian government for its anti-LGBTQ laws.

“I made a mistake. When we were booking shows, I wasn’t looking into it … I do not see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with,” said Healy via NME.

Healy’s profanity-laced criticism of the government’s stance against LGBTQ rights and subsequent kiss with his bass player, Ross MacDonald, sparked outrage in the predominantly Muslim country after fan footage of the incident was posted on social media.

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil criticized Matty Healy on Facebook late Friday at the start of the Good Vibes Festival as “very rude”, according to AP News.

Good Vibes Festival has since released a statement on their official website, stating they “deeply regret to announce the remaining schedule of Good Vibes Festival … planned for today and tomorrow has been canceled following the controversial conduct and remarks made by UK artist Matty Healy from the band The 1975.”

According to Malaysian law, its penal code strictly states sexual activity between people of the same sex is “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” and acts of “gross indecency”, are strictly prohibited, and punishment may extend up to 20 years with whipping.

This is not the first time the singer took to the stage and defended gay rights. In 2019, Healy kissed a male fan during a concert in the United Arab Emirates, where homosexual acts are outlawed, according to media reports. Fan-posted footage shows the singer inviting a male fan on stage to hug him and the pair sharing a quick kiss, defying strict anti-LGBTQ laws in the Arab state.

He took to Twitter after the show, writing: “Thank you Dubai you were so amazing. I don’t think we’ll be allowed back due to my ‘behaviour’ but know that I love you and I wouldn’t have done anything differently given the chance again.”

The band has yet to further comment on the incident in Malaysia, leaving fans wondering if they will return.